Topview - Methodology for the efficient use of remote sensing data for climate change adaptation and spatial energy planning

Starting point / motivation

Urban development and global climate change present cities and municipalities with major challenges in spatial energy and heat planning and the planning of climate adaptation measures. Conventional methods reach their limits when it comes to recording and analysing complex energy flows and urban structures.

The TopView project aims to close these gaps by integrating geo-information-based technologies, in particular remote sensing data. These provide precise databases for the planning of energy infrastructures, demand forecasts and climate adaptation measures, which can significantly improve decision-making processes at municipal level and elsewhere.

Contents and goals

The aim of TopView is to create and develop new databases and planning approaches for spatial energy planning and climate change adaptation. For this purpose, high-resolution thermal satellite image data and orthophotos are used in combination with, among other things, methods for automatic image recognition.

The project aims to provide innovative solutions for the improved identification of heat requirements of buildings and waste heat sources, the classification of roof shapes and the utilisation of roofs as well as the analysis of energy consumption. Overall, the systematic processing and use of this data should optimise local and regional planning processes and tackle new challenges for cities, municipalities and federal states in this area.

Methods

TopView combines various methodological approaches, including the processing and analysis of remote sensing data (e.g. thermal satellite images, orthophotos) and the application of artificial intelligence for automatic image recognition.

The project is divided into several thematic areas that address specific issues, such as the development of new data layers and the integration of data with different resolutions. The data collected will be made available to various stakeholders, such as local authorities and energy suppliers.

Expected results

TopView significantly improves the databaseand thus the decision-making process for spatial energy planning and the development of climate adaptation strategies. The integration of remote sensing data will enable more accurate analysis and monitoring of urban heat demands and sources, making decision-making processes more transparent and efficient.

Topview will also help to identify PV (expansion) potential and improve electricity infrastructure expansion planning by analysing existing buildings at high resolution. This will help to reduce CO₂ emissions and improve energy efficiency. In the long term, the methods and tools developed will be used in other projects and applications to increase the resilience of urban structures to climate change.

Project management

AEE INTEC

Project or cooperation partners

• Energieagentur Steiermark
• iSpace
• n-vision
• SIR
• Termatics

Franz Mauthner
Feldgasse 19
A-8200 Gleisdorf
Tel.: +43 (3112) 5886-223
E-mail: f.mauthner@aee.at
Web: www.aee-intec.at