Cloud-based COP4EE-Energyplaner online

The energy transition is governed at the European and national scale, leading to laws and regulations such as the German EEG. The implementation of the energy transition in response to these acts is taking place at the regional scale. Regional administrations define their own targets adapted to the local demands and potentials. However, regional administrations are often not aware of the full potential and limitations of their spatial units regarding the production of renewable energies. Earth Observation (EO) is therefore used by COP4EE to determine the potential of areas for wind power plants, photovoltaic plants or the production of biomass. A holistic planning of the energy transition requires a comprehensive inventory of the total potential of energy production as well as area-specific evaluation criteria for the selection of suitable areas and energy sources. The new cloud-based COP4EE-Energyplanner provides a scenario calculation tool for various energy mix scenarios for selected districts in Germany.

Remote Sensing Solutions GmbH, DELPHI IMM GmbH and the Research Center for Energy Economics eV have developed the cloud-based COP4EE-Energyplaner (https://cop4ee-energieplaner.de) as part of two projects funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. With this energy planner, it is possible at different administrative levels (federal, state, municipal) to determine the areas required for a regional renewable energy target for electricity and heat production for each spatial unit. Several types of energy (wind, PV, biomass, etc.) can be considered at the same time and weighed against each other in terms of their area-specific suitability. The user can determine initial scenarios himself, run through scenarios (different targets for electricity and heat, priorities for renewable energy types) in a synopsis, taking into account his needs, and incorporate the results into his discussion and decision-making processes.

Stakeholders involved in the energy transition can thus be offered an innovative spatial planning tool that aims at spatial prioritization for efficient and ecologically sustainable energy production.