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Department of Energy Releases New Online Renewable Energies Map

By Michael Harris, Online Editor, HydroWorld
January 31, 2012 | 2 Comments

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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A new website developed by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will allow users to easily and accurately map America's potential renewable energy resources.

The interactive tool, called "RE Atlas," is free and available for use online.

It operates much like GoogleMaps, and users are able to choose between nine different renewable sources -- including hydro and wave power -- that can be superimposed on the map.

The map displays data indicating the potential for a given renewable's growth and can be referenced by state, county, and congressional district.

"Ease of use and breadth of data make RE Atlas an excellent tool for policymakers, planners, energy developers, and others who need to better understand the renewable resources available in the United States," says Dan Getman, whose team in NREL's Strategic Energy Analysis Center developed the tool.

PennWell's Hydro Group publishes Hydro Review and HRW-Hydro Review Worldwide. Hydro Review, the magazine of the North American hydro industry, offers practical, useful information, helpful examples, and constructive guidance from experts. Each issue has an average readership of more than 50,000. HRW's mission is to share practical, technical information and expertise on hydroelectric power to the international hydro community. The magazine has circulation of more than 10,000.

Bioenergy, Geothermal Energy, Green Power, Hydropower, Ocean Energy, Solar Energy, Wind Power, Energy Efficiency

2 Reader Comments

Comment
1 of 2

energy4all

February 2, 2012

This is a great tool for quickly assessing what is where on earth with respect to Renewable Energy Applications.

Comment
2 of 2

GeraldR

February 2, 2012

Excellent.
Now it needs overlays for Republican districts and a density plot of NIMBYs.
But seriously, overlays indicating percentage of current energy production by type would be very useful to highlight the true opportunities.

Also, Canada is a significant supplier of renewable energy to the US - Canadian potential should be part of the map. For instance, untapped hydro-electric potential in Quebec is mostly only useful as an export to New England.

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