2011-12-31-IRENA-Implementation_Strategy_for_a_Global_Solar_and_Wind_Atlas_26页_1mb

Global Solar and Wind Atlas Implementation Strategy Summary

1. Collaboration Context

The Global Solar and Wind Atlas initiative is part of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM) Multilateral Working Group on Solar and Wind Energy Technologies, which was established in 2009 following the Major Economies Forum meeting in preparation for the COP 15 Copenhagen Conference. Denmark, Germany, and Spain were initially tasked with drafting Technology Action Plans (TAPs) for solar and wind energy, which were later consolidated and presented at COP 15. The Working Group has since advanced the project through multiple international workshops and meetings, including the first CEM in Washington (2010) and the second in Abu Dhabi (2011). The next planned meeting is in Madrid in 2012.

2. Partnership Structure

The initiative involves a diverse range of partners:

• Lead Countries: Denmark, Germany, and Spain, responsible for financial and in-kind contributions.
• Partner Organisations: IRENA, UNEP, and the International Energy Agency (IEA).
• Research Institutes: CENER, NREL, Risø DTU, NTU, and others.
• NGOs: REN21, among others.
• Private Companies: GeoModel, Solar Prognos, Deutsche WindGuard, The Wind Professionals, and others.

These partnerships are essential for data collection, technical development, and ensuring the Atlas meets the needs of end-users.

3. Management Structure

A light, compact, and decentralised management structure is proposed to accommodate the various contributions. Key components include:

• Steering Committee: Oversees the programme, agrees on strategy annually, assesses financing, and ensures quality and outreach. It includes lead countries, international organisations, and institutes mandated by leading Member States.
• Project Coordination Unit: Provides secretarial support, coordinates with lead institutions, and acts as a focal point for end-users and the information group.
• End-User Group: Initially includes representatives of committed Member States, later potentially expanding to NGOs and other stakeholders. This group defines requirements, provides data, and supports capacity-building.
• Information Group: Composed of leading global institutes and private organisations, responsible for collecting and providing data and methods for the Atlas.

4. Added-Value of the Global Atlas

The Global Solar and Wind Atlas offers significant value by:

• Enabling spatial and temporal planning for renewable energy deployment.
• Supporting long-term investment and policy-making in the energy sector.
• Facilitating transparent and consistent data for governments, investors, and the public.
• Enhancing market certainty and reducing investment risks for private sector actors.
• Providing a global decision-making tool that supports cooperation on energy strategies and scenarios.

It addresses the need for a global, consistent, and validated system of renewable energy data, which is currently lacking due to fragmented and inconsistent sources.

5. Strategic Positioning

The Global Atlas is strategically positioned to serve three main groups:

5.1 Policy-Making

• Policy-makers seek synthetic maps of technical and economic potential, along with legal, regulatory, and policy data.
• The Atlas supports spatial planning and support scheme development.
• It allows for selectable land use assumptions and provides confidence and stability for private investment.

5.2 Market Screening

• Investors and developers benefit from site-specific data, maps for site selection, and aggregated resource and socio-economic data.
• The Atlas provides a trusted data source that can be used to raise capital for detailed assessments.
• It does not replace private companies but aims to collaborate with them to enhance data accessibility and utility.

5.3 General Awareness

• Educators and the public require basic information on solar and wind resources.
• The Atlas can provide best practice examples, capacity-building initiatives, and micro-finance options through online tools.
• It helps in raising awareness and understanding of renewable energy in regions with limited experience.

6. Outcome and Features

The final outcome of the initiative is a collaborative internet-based GIS system:

• The system will be open and inclusive, connecting major databases and information sources.
• It will not store data physically but retrieve and format it on demand.
• Data can be accessed via web interfaces and web services, and used in various software applications.
• The system is designed to be secure, with the option to encrypt information flows.
• It will provide real-time calculations of indicators such as CO₂ reductions, investment volumes, employment, and market potential.

6.1 Open Architecture

• The system will use open architecture to integrate existing data sources.
• It aims to minimise new data creation and instead leverage partnerships.
• The architecture will support different geographic scales and user needs.

6.2 Restrictions of Use

• Datasets will be tailored for policy-makers and energy planners.
• They will be validated and documented to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Validation efforts will be limited by available resources and data quality across regions.

6.3 From Resource to Potential

• The initiative seeks to develop a scientifically agreed methodology to convert resource data into potential assessments.
• It will integrate socio-economic models to assess impacts like employment, market volumes, and CO₂ reduction.
• Initial simple assumptions will be made based on literature, with plans to include more complex cost models in the future.

7. Working Streams and Approach

The project is structured around two main work streams:

• Work Stream 1: Focuses on policy-making and market screening.
• Work Stream 2: Involves data collection and methodological development.

The approach includes collaborative information systems, data validation, and capacity-building. The end-user group will be central to defining requirements and ensuring the system is user-friendly and effective.

Annexes

• Annex 1: Notes on Solar Resource Assessment.
• Annex 2: Notes on Wind Resource Assessment, including verification and uncertainty estimation, and data sources.
• Annex 3: Notes on Collaborative Information Systems, highlighting the need for open, transparent, and validated methodologies.

This initiative represents a global effort to standardise and enhance renewable energy data accessibility, supporting both policy and market development while ensuring scientific accuracy and international collaboration.