GIS and CAD for Renewable Energy - 2019 entry

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are becoming an increasingly powerful tool in understanding and utilising geospatial data. GIS has a particular role in mapping the development of project specific visual information.  The ability to use GIS methods is a skill that is highly valued by employers.

Students taking this module should have a good grounding in basic computer and data handling skills and some knowledge of mapping terminology.  It is suitable for students involved in wider energy/ sustainability related subjects.

To relay essential concepts relating to geographical information systems such that you can use GIS software independently, efficiently and meaningfully in support of resource assessment and site identification studies for renewable energy projects.

During the survey of industry advisors, GIS and more generally, IT, was identified as the most desirable element of the knowledge base of renewable energy graduates. This module provides an opportunity to focus the ILOs specifically toward attainment in these areas.

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

Through the preparation of a hardcopy map of professional quality and standard, along with a short self-reflection on the practial exercise you should demonstrate:

1. detail the distinctions between geospatial data types used in GIS and show sound knowledge and understanding of what can, and cannot, be done with data of each type;
2. competently use MapInfo, and  have an awareness of processing data in  GIS systems;
3. identify relevant spatial data, translating and importing these into a GIS program;
4. carry out a series of spatial queries in order to identify locations for renewable energy installations that satisfy contraints imposed upon them;
5. produce a professional quality map for a potential customer.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
6.  understand the capabilities of GIS methods for problem solving and be capable of assessing the limitations of GIS software in complex renewable energy project development;
7.  select appropriate GIS procedures and algorithms, and apply spatial reasoning to solve unfamiliar problems;
8.  understand GIS methods and techniques used to account for industrial and commercial constraints in renewable energy project design and development.
 

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and  Knowledge:
9.  demonstrate, through preparation of a hardcopy map ability to download, collate, import and manipulate data within industry recognised software packages;
10. relay technical information effectively using mapping conventions and text;
11. manage own learning within tight time constraints, by means of successfully completing the assignment tasks and reflect on the experience.
 

Week 1

            Lecture topics:

            Introduction: What is a GIS? Example applications of GIS; Coordinate systems and projections; Scale

            generalisation and geo-referencing; Representing the real world using spatial data. Representing the  

            real world using spatial data. Sources of spatial data; Terrain analysis and

            Assessment;   Spatial data analysis and prediction; Spatial statistics

            MapInfo Workshops:

            Installation; MapInfo definitions;

            Open existing tables; Creating new tables; Drawing objects on a map; Tool manager

            Raster coverages; Universal translation of file formats; Spatial queries

            Table menu functionality; Changing options and preferences; Creating and using layouts

Week 2

            Self-study

            Completion of mapping assignment and self-reflection report.

One piece of CW - 100%

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Web based and Electronic Resources:

MapInfo User Guide: http://reference.mapinfo.com/software/mapinfo_pro/english/10.5/MapInfoProfessionalUserGuide.pdf

Map Info User Videos: A range of topic specific ~5 minute videos.

http://www.pbinsight.com/support/education/video-tutorials/product/mapinfo-professional/

Vertical Mapper User Guide/Tutorial:

http://reference.mapinfo.com/software/vertical_mapper/english/3_7/VerticalMapperTutorial.pdf

James, N., 2004. MapInfo  An easy guide for new users in the Map Room. http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/guides/maps/miguide1.htm                                                         

AGI, Online GIS Dictionary, http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/agidict/welcome.html                                                                                                               

ESRI,  Overview of GIS, http://www.esri.com/getting_started/index.html                                                                                                                   

ESRI, GIS Guide, http://www.gis.com/index.html

                                                                          
Other Resources:

Michael F. Goodchild. (1997) What is Geographic Information Science?, NCGIA Core Curriculum in GIScience, http://www.ncgia.ucsb.edu/giscc/units/u002/u002.html, posted October 7, 1997

Reading list for this module: