Integration of on-site information with GIS analysis for development in complex locations.
While designing generating assets and industrial power to X facilities in different environments, it became clear that multiple site specific constrains would have significant impact in the feasibility of such projects, a series of site visits allowed the developing team to improve the available data into decision making information.
GIS work and site visits have always been a fundamental part of project development, and it is essential that GIS engineering is deeply integrated with project development, site visits should be used as a direct input rather than validation.
Every site is different and the site environment will always be one of the most determining factors on the feasibility of a project, often, unseen site constrains will affect or disrupt the functionality of a project. Larger scale renewable power developments and power to X projects are susceptible to their environment and the integration of a range of disciplines. Accessibility, logistics, water availability or availability to personnel can all play a significant role in the feasibility of a project.
Each project will be faced with its unique site constrains according to its environment.
How to improve the early assessments
Modern GIS (Geographical Information Systems) are very capable tools and will provide the foundation for the entire development of a project, but they rely heavily on the available data and this can significantly vary between countries and regions, even satellite imagery can be months if not several years outdated, and topographic information can be outdated or inaccurate. It requires also an experienced analyst to identify and correct mismatches between layers, satellite imagery and on-site conditions.
But besides the possible inaccuracy of GIS work, a comprehensive understanding of geography is essential as projects are required to integrate with their environments beyond the land and resources they occupy, understanding both the social and environmental dynamics of a place is essential to design a project that can incorporate to its environment.
During a site visit it was discovered that protected vegetation was present on the site, altering its
surroundings was strictly forbidden, rendering the entire area useless for the project purpose. This
vegetation was not charted in the official protected areas or vegetation characterization layers, it was
only during a site visit that the area was identified and charted, it is possible to see the vegetation
colour change from the usual regional vegetation. GIS layers of vegetation and water bodies tend to
be dynamic over time and not always updated or adequately charted.
During the scouting of land for a wind farm, a valley was targeted for its high winds, using google
earth the area appears relatively flat.
The site visit painted a new picture, rolling hills dominate the landscape, these are low enough to be
discarded by low resolution topography, but high enough to present a challenge to access roads.
Further analysis showed a more complex topography however the public data didn’t have enough
accuracy to expose the true site complexity.
By using high resolution LIDAR topography and a specific contrast on the altitude range of the rolling
hills, it was possible to highlight the specific constrain and redefine the layout in that section.
The site visits also brought light to the difficulty of accessing the site and the repercussions this can
have on the development and operation.
The comprehension and application of these tools and knowledge is essential to distil a clear message that can be understood by a multidisciplinary team. There is a subtle balance in choosing the information and the way that it is going to be displayed, this can be the difference between conveying decision-making information against noise.
The following map shows an alternative location power to x facility, after the site visit it was possible to confirm and map out multiple areas that were prone to flooding, it became evident due to the type of vegetation and the presence of irregular water bodies during the wet season.
Early identification of constrains
Identification of constrains begins before visiting a site, and as early as a market screening, some hard constrains are evident form inception, the renewable resource, protected areas, existing infrastructure, regional prices, potential offtake, etc. As the regional knowledge increases, specific constrains are added to the list, social protection laws, land disputes, grid constrains, competing projects, industrial regulation among others. Some constrains are often open to interpretation and should be carefully mapped accordingly, often in protected areas specific infrastructure can be constructed or wind speed resource maps don’t consider altitude which can lead to a misleading over estimation, according to the interpretation of the constrains areas will or should be avoided.
The constrain analysis in the map includes all the limits known to the area such as environmentally
and socially protected areas as well as other attractors or deterrents such as competing power
plants, existing infrastructure, energy prices or grid saturation. As the search of the region starts to
narrow down, specific constrains and buffer areas will help determine the target land.
Site visit and data enchancement
An effective site visit adds value on multiple levels, the validation of collected GIS data, the addition of missing information and validation of possibles inaccuracies will improve the geographical data of the site, additionally the site visit will serve as a first indicator of the complexity of constructing and operating a project as well as the acceptance it will have locally.
Before the site visit it is essential the identification of possible conflict points or possible gaps on the information, as it might not be possible to cover the entire area it can be useful to first validate critical points
During a site visit on a desertic landscape, it became evident that multiple parallel roads existed in
specific low areas, local guides explained that despite its arid landscape, big segments of the land
flooded during wet seasons and entire roads disappeared. Signs of expansive soils found during the
site visit indicate a high content of clay and silt, such soils indicate signs of temporal floods and are
not ideal for road construction.
The ease of accessibility is the first clear indication of the complexity of the logistics, an early assessment of the existing infrastructure in the region can provide a early sense of development costs, as different studies will require suppliers to access the site commonly needing new access roads that can prove expensive for an early development and adding additional permitting, knowledge gathered during site visits to create alternative solutions to impediments.
When possible off-road capable vehicles are worth their rental cost, however, is also important to
maintain neutral and low-profile with vehicles that blend in. A Drone is an essential tool for site
survey.
Traveling with a local resident will always increase the reach of the accessible land and the environmental knowledge, using similar means of transportation as the local communities reduces the developer’s footprint in the region which can also help avoid unwanted attention and avoid the creation of high expectations in the local communities.
Often only old and unreliable vehicles are available, mechanical issues are common, is important to
always travel with cash and tools to solve issues and if possible, a back up vehicle.
Local guides and transportation methods will improve the accessibility to the site as well as create a
foundation of collaboration with the local communities.
With the exemption of some isolated projects, most developments will have to coexist with local communities, regardless of the selected community engagement strategy, the site visits offer a direct window into the community’s sentiment towards foreign investment in their land. Direct engagement with members of the community is unavoidable and valuable as they will always be a source of information directly linked to the projects environment. Community members can always provide useful information on land availability, access points, competing developments, land securement conflicts or unseen existing constrains.
A consistent social strategy is essential to maintain community engagement and trust.
Integration and upkeep of information
The frequency of the site visits is a matter of project complexity and resources, there is a fine balance between spending resources on a visit early on a project against potential costs of not identifying a possible constraint, in any case, a site visits should always be done before committing large resources to a project as usually a series of visits will be small compared to the DEVEX of a project.
Initial constructability analysis determined that even though a group of turbines were possible to
construct in a ridge, the elevated cost reduced the profitability of that specific cluster.
Specific site photos, allow the civil design team to get a better perspective of the complexity of that
specific cluster and help find alternatives.
By removing 2 turbines, the additional area increases the road distance connecting each turbine,
decreasing the slope of the road and the need of earthworks.
Site visits should be done with clear understanding about the project’s functionality as well as geographical knowledge and experience to know how to effectively navigate and record data from the site. Its fundamental that there is a direct and continuous link between information gathered by the site visit, the GIS data and the project development team.
César Sierra
