Renewable energy Resource EXplorer (RREX)


The SWERA Renewable energy Resource EXplorer (RREX) is an on-line Geographic Information System tool for viewing renewable resource data. Through this interactive system, users can view several renewable resource data sets available through SWERA. Generally speaking, the data sets that are at a finer resolution (smaller grid cells, such as 1 km to 10 km) will be the most useful in determining the suitability of renewable energy systems for a given location as they can better capture variations around smaller geographic features. As there is currently not global coverage of high-resolution resource data, RREX also includes moderate- and low-resolution global data sets. Though these will less adequately capture the details of resource availability, they are suitable for comparison and visualization of generalized patterns of solar and wind resource distribution across larger regions. Care should be taken with the interpretation of low resolution resource maps, particularly resouces with major local-area microclimate effects, such as wind. RREX reports the best available annual data when you click on the map. To map the resource data, select the "Map Tool" tab. Users can view monthly data values from all available data sets at a given site by clicking on the desired location on the map and choosing the "Graph Data" option.




A interactive hydropower system is available for Guatemala and Ethiopia as a proof of concept. A geographic streamflow model used rainfall estimates, stream discharge measurements and landform variables to estimate streamflow and power for river basins. The maps show river basins and 1-kilometer stream segments. The basins can be queried to discover annual and monthly streamflow and power estimates. The stream segments are color coded to represent annual hydropower potential. Basins can be selected and monthly streamflow and annual flow duration curves can be graphed and downloaded for use in hydropower analysis.