Archive for the ‘XMap for Wind Energy’ Category

GIS is a Breeze with XMap

November 6, 2008

When it comes to planning, developing, or managing a wind energy project, there is no more useful tool than an efficient mapping program. Once the domain of highly trained Geographic Information System (GIS) professionals, mapping technology is now accessible to all. Thanks to companies like DeLorme, whose XMap GIS software suite has been adopted by hundreds of wind energy companies, GIS is now a key component of the corporate infrastructure of most of today’s emerging energy businesses. 

XMap 6 provides just the right level of GIS functionality for everyday use; powerful enough for analyzing your most complex spatial datasets, yet straightforward enough for everyone in your office to use. XMap offers an extensive array of mapping and spatial tools for every step of the wind energy project development process:

  • Project planning and optimal site determination
  • 3-D mapping and terrain visualization
  • Infrastructure mapping
  • Impact analysis
  • Community outreach
A well organized GIS will not only provide you and your field staff with an efficient workflow management tool but it can also save your company money through increased efficiency, elimination of redundant technologies, and streamlined data management. Within a very short timeframe, the expense of implementing a GIS will be recouped in cost savings to your business.
XMap is unlike any other GIS program. Because it’s was developed from the foundation of DeLorme’s award-winning navigation and topographic mapping software products, it includes a truly unique array of features and functions including:
  • Accurate route planning
  • Voice controlled, in-vehicle GPS navigation
  • A searchable phone database with 150 million phone listings for the U.S. and Canada
  • 3-D terrain modeling and line-of-sight profiling
  • Interoperability with a variety of handheld devices including the new handheld Earthmate GPS
    PN-40 from DeLorme.
When it comes time to put XMap to work, the intuitive layout of the GIS tools will have you up and running in no time. XMap offers easy access to a wide variety of spatial datasets including shapefiles, CAD files, and MapInfo files. You can also incorporate aerial imagery in MrSID or GeoTIFF format or access imagery on demand using DeLorme’s online NetLink service.
More than GIS, XMap is the complete mapping solution for your business in one easy-to-use package.

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XMap at Work - Wind Map Examples

June 18, 2008

California Wind Resources: 3-D Map displaying wind resource data layer for California from the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) overlaid on DeLorme’s SAT10 satellite imagery

Wind Farm Layout: Simulated wind farm mapping project displayed simultaneously in 2-D, with a base map of USA Topographic data, and in 3-D, overlaid on an aerial image downloaded using XMap’s Netlink function. Other layers show property ownership polygons, turbine locations and a 2000ft buffer indicating the zone of maximum impact.

Wind Projects in Southern Scotland: Currently active wind energy projects in the Glasgow region of Scotland. Points were imported from a spreadsheet containing data from each wind farm.

Wind Potential and Turbine output in Denmark: Point layer containing all wind turbines in Denmark, symbolized to convey electrical output in 2007, overlaid on a map showing areas of maximum wind speed.

North Atlantic Wind Speed: Near real-time satellite derived wind speed data downloaded from NOAA. Each point displays the speed and direction measured at the point of observation.

Brazil Wind Resources: Wind resource data covering Brazil, classified and symbolized to show area of maximum potential.

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GIS for Wind Energy

June 17, 2008

 What is a GIS and how can it help you? 

A Geographic Information System (GIS) is, quite simply, a tool for displaying and analyzing crucial information as it relates to a geographic location. 

If you’ve ever scribbled notes on a map, added data annotations to a mapping software program, or even maintained a database that contains locational information such as addresses, you’ve created a simple GIS. 

Full-featured GIS software programs such as XMap 5.0 GIS Editor provide a quantum leap in efficiency, delivering the ability to organize, query, and analyze your data, and to ascertain the answers you need for informed decision making and comprehensive research. 

How is a GIS created? 

Typically, a GIS is created by collecting all available and appropriate data, processing it into a usable form, and overlaying the resulting layers on a base map for a given area. This data may be derived from field-collected GPS log files, an existing spatial database, a list of objects with a known location or address, published GIS data layers, or by using object drawing and attribution tools within the GIS software. 

When these data layers are in place, they provide a visual perspective that can help answer your fundamental who, what, where, and how questions. For example: Where are the areas of greatest average wind speed? Which properties are adjacent to the project site? Are there specific areas of the state that are more suitable for a wind farm? How close is the nearest access road? 

Making GIS accessible 

Until recently, the cost of a full-featured GIS was prohibitive. Between software, labor costs and training, many wind energy developers simply couldn’t afford or justify the expense. Today, software and mapping companies like DeLorme are developing GIS products that can run on standard desktop or laptop computers using mainstream database technology with minimal maintenance and training required. 

GIS provides significant benefits to countless types of users. Here are some examples related to wind energy management: 

  • Optimize the placement of wind farms and turbines 
  • Determine ownership of abutting properties and contact local residents 
  • Create high quality printed maps for project presentations 
  • Map newly developed access roads 
  • Catalog turbine performance and analyze spatial patterns  

Virtually all data has some sort of locational component. A well organized GIS can help to expose these geographic patterns and trends providing a deeper level of understanding of the subject at hand. 

For more information on XMap 5.0, DeLorme’s easy-to-use and affordable GIS solution, visit www.xmap.com or call 1-800-293-2389

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XMap for Wind Energy

June 17, 2008

 

Why Would a Wind Energy Management Company Use XMap? 

The application of GIS technology for wind energy applications 

Project managers utilize GIS technology for many aspects of wind energy management operations: 

Wind Potential Analysis 

GIS software can import and display wind resource data, which indicates optimum wind availability in your area of interest. Historic wind patterns can be correlated with wind speed measurements collected onsite and overlaid on a topographic map or aerial image. 

Property Acquisition 

GIS data, often readily available from local, regional or national government GIS departments, can clearly display property ownership, easements, public land, community boundaries and much more. This data can help developers plan, negotiate and eventually apply for permitting to comply with the legal requirements for a project. 

Power Planning and Distribution 

GIS can display transmission line availability and capacity for power distribution planning. During construction, the new power collection infrastructure can mapped and integrated as a new GIS layer. After a wind farm has been constructed, GIS can provide project managers with infrastructure monitoring and transmission line connection status. 

Tower & Turbine Placement 

A topographic map and 3-D terrain model will quickly highlight the optimal site for turbine placement and help expose obstructions to the prevailing wind. Integrated GIS data can also help determine the suitability of site from a geophysical or geological perspective. 

Compliance and Community Collaboration 

Environmental compliance is critical for wind energy project development. Developers must take into account avian and bat migratory patterns, wetland or other environmentally vulnerable areas, cumulative turbine noise potential and visual impact. GIS can display and present these data layers for public review and community outreach. 

Data Collection

GPS data collected on site and imported into GIS software can assist with all aspects of wind farm development, including site-specific wind speed measurement, tower site placement, new power distribution networks, road construction and much more. 

GPS Navigation 

Whether you are a construction foreman, a project coordinator, a land acquisition specialist, an electrical engineer, a vegetation control manager or a GIS administrator, you still need to know where you are going. GIS & GPS provide the essential routing, location and navigation tools to help you find the job site quickly and efficiently. 

To learn more about GIS for wind energy visit xmap.com/wind or contact the DeLorme professional sales team at 1-800-293-2389 or prosales@delorme.com

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