What is it?
Our environment provides various renewable sources of energy, including the wind and the sun. Such sources are described as 'renewable' because they will not run out. Heat and light from the sun are used by solar collectors and solar panels.
Winds and water flows can be used to drive turbines, which produce energy. It is possible to store summer heat underground and then use it to make our homes comfortable in the winter. The process can be reversed to cool the places where we live and work during hot weather.
Heat from deep inside the earth can serve as a source of warmth for greenhouses, homes and other buildings. Waves in the sea can also be harnessed to generate energy.
Susstainability
If we are to take full advantage of wind, heat and water as renewable energy sources, we need to manage our rivers, seas and soil sustainably. Changes to the environment resulting from spatial developments can impact on the potential of renewable energy sources. For example, changing the course or speed of a river can have implications for our ability to harness the water flow for energy production. And lack of consultation about the use of underground resources and groundwater can affect the scope for thermal energy storage.
In real life
By integrating this ecosystem service into our spatial planning, we can optimise our use of it. For example, much can be gained by coordinating thermal energy storage plans at the municipal or regional level. And the designation of special wind energy zones by the national or regional government can help to minimise the impact that turbines have on local residents and on nature.
Practical example:
Maps
Potential geothermal energy:
- Deep geothermal energy potential (below 5500 m)
- Deep geothermal energy potential (below 7500 m)
- Geothermal energy potential (1500-4000 m below ground) for urban areas
- Geothermal energy potential (1500-4000 m below ground) for greenhouse horticulture
Potential Cold storage:
- Potential for storage of cold from open TES systems per municipality
- Potential for storage of cold from open TES systems per neighborhood
- Potential for cold storage via closed system vertical heat exchangers per neighborhood
- Potential for cold storage via closed-system vertical heat exchangers per municipality
Potential heat storage:
- Potential for storage of heat from open TES systems tot 250 m per municipality
- Potential for storage of heat from open TES systems to 250 m per neighbourhood
- Potential for heat storage via closed-system vertical heat exchangers per neighbourhood
- Potential for heat storage via closed-system vertical heat exchangers per municipality
Other:
- Residual heat potential – Locations of industrial sites and CO2 emissions
- Geothermal potential
Windenergy:
- Windenergy
- Windmap