IRENA launches clean energy project evaluation app

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has released the mobile version of its clean energy project evaluation tool and the move is expected to boost the development of renewables worldwide.

The Global Atlas evaluates locations for potential renewable energy projects using reliable datasets and expertise.

The original Global Atlas is designed to help narrow the gap between nations on evaluating renewable energy resources, by making public more than 1,000 datasets and a variety of maps, which can help local energy agencies identify areas of interest for further clean energy assessments.

The initiative currently includes 67 countries and more than 50 partners and is designed to eventually provide global coverage for all renewable energy resources.

The new IRENA Global Atlas Pocket app is a significant development in the project and enables users to access the information on a smartphone as well as the desktop.

The free application is projected to be a valuable tool for people in a variety of roles including developers, engineers and investors and will provide them an initial evaluation of potential renewable energy project sites.

In a statement, IRENA said: “The Global Atlas facilitates a first screening for areas of opportunity where further assessments can be of particular relevance. It enables the user to overlay information listed in a catalogue of more than 1,000 datasets, and to identify areas of interest for further prospection. IRENA is continuously adding information to the system.”

As an additional incentive for downloading and putting the new Global Atlas Pocket to work, IRENA is hosting a Twitter giveaway of a Crosskase solar charging backpack for those who use it and share a map with their social media audience.