National renewable energy map adds value

An online map that helps renewable energy developers find the best locations for new Australian projects has recently received a major upgrade. The Australian Renewable Energy Mapping Infrastructure (AREMI), which provides free and open access to a wide array of Australian renewable energy data, is used to determine where renewable energy can add the most value in the electricity market. It was developed by CSIRO’s Data61, with funding support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

“AREMI helps project developers and researchers find the best opportunities for renewable energy in Australia and is speeding up the transition to a low-carbon energy system,” said ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknecht.

“Effectively mapping and sharing renewable energy information is critical to building the energy systems of the future. This is the first time such an extensive collection of powerful renewable energy information has been available in the one place.”

Data61 unveiled an enhanced user interface for the AREMI platform at the Clean Energy Summit in Melbourne. It has collected feedback from a range of industry users to make it easier to compare different datasets and improve navigation.

“These latest improvements make the platform easier to use and more effective at visualising complex data to assist energy market developments,” Frischknecht said.

New network opportunity maps, developed with ARENA support and hosted on AREMI, were also announced by the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures at the summit. The expanded network opportunity maps provide an indication of where energy demand is expected to outstrip supply.

“These are often locations where renewables offer an alternative to extra poles and wires and can reduce power prices whilst increasing network stability,” said Frischknecht.

Bioenergy project developers can also use AREMI to find untapped biomass resources.

“The maps also include ocean data from the ARENA-supported CSIRO wave atlas, which is a boon to our emerging wave power sector.

“This collaboration, which includes project partners Geoscience Australia and the Clean Energy Council, is a live example of different ARENA-supported projects working together effectively,” Frischknecht said.

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Gilles Lougassi