Geology for Renewable Energy

CASE STUDY

ESA Geology Project - EO-based geology/geomorphology for renewable energy sources & land development.

Working in conjunction with Hydrosearch, this study produced a GIS-based geological and geomorphological interpretation of ERS SAR, over the coastal and near coastal areas of western Scotland.

The aim of this project is to identify ways in which EO data can be used to aid the siting of renewable energy facilities e.g. wind and tidal power in coastal regions.

This study demonstrated how SAR ERS data can be used for a regional study. The introduction of higher resolution SAR instruments, possiblly in combination with high-resolution optical data will enable more detailed studies.

Onshore
EO data can be used to map the broad lithological rock types and detailed surface structure (image above left).

Offshore
ERS SAR data can be used to highlight a number of oceanographic features including: wave features, gyres, eddies, calm water, ship tracks and pollution (see above right).