10 January 2012
MUSCAT -- Photovoltaic panels could be the suitable alternative of oil and gas in the Middle East countries and this can be used to tackle increasing demand of energy resources replacing fossil energy with renewable energy in the region, energy expert Dr Thomas Blaschke stated this in a recent presentation held at the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech).
Dr Thomas Blaschke is Professor of Geoinformatics and Deputy Director of the Centre for Geoinformatics at the University of Salzburg, Austria. Dr Blaschke cited German example and said "In Germany about 20 per cent of the electricity consumption is targeted through sustainable energy resources."
In his presentation titled 'Sustainable energy: Modelling and monitoring energy demand and supply', Dr Blaschke said: "Currently Germany is one of the leading countries that has installed many photovoltaic panels."
Photovoltaic arrays convert solar radiation into direct current using semiconductors that produce electricity. According to Blaschke the lifespan of photovoltaic arrays is rather short; thus globally renewable energies cannot compete with conventional energies due to high prices. To forecast the energy demand and supply in a certain area or region GIS experts use geospatial data. "Our energy system is based on geographic relations," said Blaschke.
Scientists combine address data, population growth, and the amount of conventionally produced electricity, into a model to estimate for example the need for energy in a certain area. "Sustainable energy planning requires thinking "outside the box". Here it applies thinking beyond lines and poles -- where the technical component may only play a small role," said Blaschke.
He presented examples of concepts of sustainable energy planning from Germany and Austria. In the Bonn area the scientists evaluated if the region could be energy independent from fossil fuels.
"Only if transportation distances are not too long, the purchase of renewable energies should be considered," said Professor Blaschke.
The renewable energy industry promises to accommodate all types of applications of smart grids, smart metering and pay on demand solutions.
"Still, operational applications have very specific requirements and they significantly differ from long-term decision-making for a sustainable energy planning. The latter is well supported by Remote Sensing and Earth Observation in conjunction with GIS," said Professor Blaschke, who is also head of the Research Studio iSPACE that specialises in energy modelling.
MUSCAT -- Photovoltaic panels could be the suitable alternative of oil and gas in the Middle East countries and this can be used to tackle increasing demand of energy resources replacing fossil energy with renewable energy in the region, energy expert Dr Thomas Blaschke stated this in a recent presentation held at the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech).
Dr Thomas Blaschke is Professor of Geoinformatics and Deputy Director of the Centre for Geoinformatics at the University of Salzburg, Austria. Dr Blaschke cited German example and said "In Germany about 20 per cent of the electricity consumption is targeted through sustainable energy resources."
In his presentation titled 'Sustainable energy: Modelling and monitoring energy demand and supply', Dr Blaschke said: "Currently Germany is one of the leading countries that has installed many photovoltaic panels."
Photovoltaic arrays convert solar radiation into direct current using semiconductors that produce electricity. According to Blaschke the lifespan of photovoltaic arrays is rather short; thus globally renewable energies cannot compete with conventional energies due to high prices. To forecast the energy demand and supply in a certain area or region GIS experts use geospatial data. "Our energy system is based on geographic relations," said Blaschke.
Scientists combine address data, population growth, and the amount of conventionally produced electricity, into a model to estimate for example the need for energy in a certain area. "Sustainable energy planning requires thinking "outside the box". Here it applies thinking beyond lines and poles -- where the technical component may only play a small role," said Blaschke.
He presented examples of concepts of sustainable energy planning from Germany and Austria. In the Bonn area the scientists evaluated if the region could be energy independent from fossil fuels.
"Only if transportation distances are not too long, the purchase of renewable energies should be considered," said Professor Blaschke.
The renewable energy industry promises to accommodate all types of applications of smart grids, smart metering and pay on demand solutions.
"Still, operational applications have very specific requirements and they significantly differ from long-term decision-making for a sustainable energy planning. The latter is well supported by Remote Sensing and Earth Observation in conjunction with GIS," said Professor Blaschke, who is also head of the Research Studio iSPACE that specialises in energy modelling.
© Oman Daily Observer 2012
