Methodology




This first flow chart represents the conversion of ESRI data into a useable form in IDRISI.
 Turbine5
Flow Chart 1
Digitizing  objects for use in later steps.


Translating into IDRISI format files.










Converting to Raster format for manipulation by IDRISI modules.


These steps refer to those required to cut the DEM down to size and evaluate the terrain slope.
Flow Chart 4
Ashcroft Local DEM





This is the result of the WINDOW module, as this was only a small portion of the original DEM that was obtained.
Suitable Slopes








This is the result of the SLOPES module which was followed by RECLASS in order to have the data in a format suitable for the MCE in later steps.


This section demonstrates the steps used to convert the raster images into boolean images of the all the suitable land in the area based on the individual buffer criteria.  These buffers are then used in the MCE as Constraints which exclude the land
Flow Chart 2
City Buffer








The Black area indicates the 2 kilometer buffer around the center of town.
Building Buffer







All these points represent buildings that were in the tculp shape file.
River Buffer







All the regions in black are rivers, streams and a 50m buffer around each of them to ensure they are not disturbed by the construction of any wind turbines.
Road Buffer






This is the result of the road buffer which excluded areas less than 200m from the road and areas greater than 2000m from the road.



This section shows the steps used to find the basic areas which are suitable for wind sites.  The resulting file indicates land which is more than 2000 m from the city center, more than 50 m from any building, more than 200 m from any river or stream, more than 200 m but less 2000m from a road and on terrain which has a slope of less than 25 degrees.
 Turbine4
Flow Chart 3
Suitable Locations



All the locations which are not black meet all the criteria that was established with respect to the safe and effective installation of wind turbines.  The MCE evaluation in the Spatial Analysis takes this one step further by including the importance of some of the factors used in the criteria.


Conceptual Outline / Data collection / Spatial Analysis / Methodological and Operational Problems / Links
 

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