EEMonReport

In addition to climate protection, the conservation of biological diversity is an important aim of the German government. Therefore, the expansion of renewable energies needs to be compatible with nature conservation.

Building on the results of the previous project "RE-Monitor”, a web-based reporting format (web application) will be developed which, with the help of key indicators or metrics to be defined in the project, is able to inform about the progress made in a nature conservation-compatible expansion of renewable energies in the German electricity sector and thus creates a knowledge base for political action and for public discussion about it. In this way, on the one hand, potentials and undesirable developments can be identified and, on the other hand, public awareness of nature conservation issues relating to the energy transition can be promoted.

Methods

In a first step, the very extensive pool of indicators and metrics compiled by or developed during the precursor project (RE-Monitor) is narrowed down to key indicators and metrics based on selected criteria (e. g. meaningfulness, comprehensibility, data availability). The basic data required for calculating the key indicators and metrics will be researched and, if necessary, processed accordingly. The RE-plant database already created in the "RE-Monitor" project will be updated and methodologically advanced. Based on the revised basic data, the content for the web application will be created and prepared (calculation of the key indicators and metrics, evaluation of the temporal and, if necessary, spatial developments, as well as the creation and preparation of corresponding text material, tables, and figures).

In parallel, existing online forms of target group-oriented knowledge transfer and web-based knowledge communication will be collected and analysed by means of a literature search. In addition, comparable, realised projects and information portals, especially on monitoring systems, will be identified by means of an internet search. Based on the results, the specifications defining the requirements for the new web application will be drafted. Based on the specifications, a simplified, schematic layout draft (wireframe) of the monitoring app is first developed, followed by a mock-up. In the prototype development phase, various technical implementation concepts and methods for the realisation of a knowledge transfer suitable for this project as well as the creation of a functional web application prototype are evaluated. To transfer the web GIS application of the existing "RE-Monitor" website into the new monitoring format, the source code has to be revised and extended. In addition, the existing data sets will be updated, information relevant to nature conservation will be added and the user-friendliness of the web GIS application will be further improved.

In the subsequent implementation phase, the programming takes place based on the prototype. Finally, the created monitoring content is implemented in the web application.

Results

Since October 2022, a revised dataset of geo-locations and plant data of renewable energy plants in Germany is freely available.

It contains five geo-datasets with point data for onshore and offshore wind energy plants, bioenergy plants and hydropower plants as well as polygons for photovoltaic open space plants until 07 May 2021.