1. Implementation of a geographic information systems (GIS)-based system
to evaluate the visual impact of offshore renewable energy installations
Chad Cooper – Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies (CAST), Jackson Cothren – CAST,
Robert Sullivan – Argonne National Laboratory, Malcolm Williamson – CAST, Snow Winters – CAST,
David Ball – Department of Interior, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Introduction Requirements
The United States Department of Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy The system must:
Management (BOEM) faces increasing interest in the use of waters under its · Enable spatial design of offshore facility
jurisdiction for offshore renewable energy development. The Visual Impact
· Import geospatial data
Evaluation System for Offshore Renewable Energy, or VIESORE, is a GIS-
· Allow user control of atmospheric, lighting, and wave conditions
based application which allows BOEM staff to import or interactively design
the spatial layout and content of an offshore facility, import and prepare · Generate spatially accurate and realistic visualizations
geospatial data that will affect visibility, run a series of visual analyses which · Output reports and images
take into account earth curvature, define atmospheric, lighting and wave · Provide a user-friendly interface
conditions and, finally generate one or a series of realistic visualizations from It shall enable users to:
multiple viewpoints.
· Independently evaluate visual impact of proposed facilities
· Validate photomontages provided by vendors
Approach System design
3D visualizations through a customized familiar Inputs/user Visualization Outputs
interaction processing
GIS interface
Renders Reports
ArcGIS 10
IS
ol rcG
to A
om
s
ArcGIS code 3D modeling
st
PDF
Cu
JPG
· Vue Infinite 10 3D modeling software accessed in background batch
mode through Python programming language via customized, yet
familiar Esri ArcGIS interface
HTML
· Vue provides photorealistic renderings
· User sets up real-world project data in ArcGIS interface, all data and AVI
GIS data inputs
settings get passed to Vue where visualizations are then created
· Users familiar with ArcGIS interface – this eliminates need to learn
Vue 3D software package
Development to date Current results
· Import GIS data into Vue 3D visualization program · Creation of photorealistic visualization renderings of planned
All done in
· Import wind turbine generator 3D models background via
offshore renewable energy installations
· Set camera and sun positions custom Python · Successful import of real-world GIS data into Vue 3D software
code
· Render to image (jpg) package for use in visualizations
· User provided with friendly interface which allows them to import
ArcGIS 10
data
Planned
installation
Key observation
point (KOP)