DE1 Wind Power: Where New Plants could still be worthwhile (Germany)

http://www.geoportal.de/DE/Geoportal/Karten/karten.html?lang=de&lang=en&wmcid=40

Abstract

In order to move away from a dependency on coal, oil, gas, and nuclear power towards renewable energy studies have been carried out to identify where new wind turbines still are a reasonable option. By combining the information from two maps, one that shows where the wind blows strongly enough to ensure that wind power plants will be worthwhile and one that shows where wind power capacity has already been installed, it became visible where there are still unused wind power capacities.

The suitability of a site and the accompanying financial support are based on criteria as laid down in the Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetz (EEG) Renewable Energies Act. The map is based on the statistically computed performance of a sample wind wheel and any possible new wind wheel sites have to be measured against this sample wind wheel.

The map of the already installed wind power capacity showed that the major share of wind energy has until now been generated in Northern Germany, which is not surprising since the wind map shows that most of the wind blows in the coastal areas and in the upper reaches of the Central German Uplands (Mittelgebirge).

Benefits

Improved planning and decision making on the best location for new wind turbines in order to increase the share of renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Linked to

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Goal 7 “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all”

Europe 2020 > flagship initiative “Sustainable growth” > “Resource efficient Europe”