Greenfielding Colorado: A GIS Methods Approach to Renewable Siting

Brown, Brandon N

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Greenfielding Colorado: A GIS Methods Approach to Renewable Siting Public Deposited

Analytics

Citations

Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/undergraduate_honors_theses/j6731546x

Abstract

In this thesis, I examine geospatial data of renewable energy potentials, degraded environments, and community boundaries within the state of Colorado. The data is used to create maps for the entire state of Colorado and three subsequent site recommendations. I evaluate the effectiveness of geographic information systems (GIS) for siting utility-scale clean energy projects. I am presenting 10 figures throughout this writing as maps which detail multivariate criteria visualizing renewable energy potentials through a framework of ethical considerations, economic policy, and environmental conditions. Ethically, I consider community self-determination for environmental justice including Indigenous sovereignty and localized community involvement. Indigenous territories and county lines are visualized equally in the maps as community boundaries. EPA REPower and Energy Communities are economic policy instruments visualized. Three EPA REPower sites are identified for further investigation of planning clean energy projects within Colorado. Wind and solar potential are within the attribute data for REPower sites. Two datasets from the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) are merged spatially to create a statewide bivariate visualization of both wind and solar potentials in combination ranging from highest to lowest values. These maps demonstrate a geospatial method which can derive ideal locations for clean energy projects, from manufacturing to development, with a focus on REPower sites.

Creator