This document presents a methodology for developing an expert system to assess the environmental sensitivity of energy systems and create sensitivity maps for the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. The methodology involves identifying types of energy plants, sensitivity themes, interference rules between themes and plants, an interference matrix of themes and plant compatibility, researching and organizing sensitivity theme data, and creating overlay maps to identify environmentally sensitive and preferential areas for siting energy plants. The system is intended to support environmental impact assessments and strategic planning.

1. “Expert system” for
environmental assessment
Elisa Valentini - University of Bologna
Michele Sansoni - Environment Agency Emilia-Romagna
INPUT 2012
Cagliari,11th May 2012

2. Goals
• Development of a methodology to assess the
environmental sensitivity of energy systems
• Development of sensitivity maps for Emilia-
Romagna Region
• Support tool useful to facilitate the procedures
of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

3. Methodology
1a. 1b.
Types of plants Sensitivity themes
Expert system for
environmental
2.
Interference rules
assessment
3. data
Interference matrix
models
4.
Research of themes
5.
Sensitivity maps

4. Environmental sensitivity
Environmental sensitivity : “tendency of an environment to be
affected by anthropogenic pressures”
Energy facilities and infrastructures
Land use
Regional and local territorial plans
Natural ecosystems
……
SENSITIVITY
Overlay mapping

5. 1a. Types of plants
- Wind farm
- Hydroelectric plants
- Biomass combustion plants
- Fossil fuel power plants
- Power lines

6. 1b. Sensitivity themes
N. Sensitivity themes
1 Airports
2 Instability areas
3 Archeological areas
4 Methane pipelines
5 Military areas
6 Historical roads system
7 Hill systems
8 Environmental protection areas
9 Crests
10 River basins and rivers
11 Contaminated sites
12 Power lines
….. …………….

7. 2. Interference rules
- Themes that represent ties and special preservation defined by law.
PURPLE - Very high criticality: maximum level of territorial sensitivity.
- Exclusion zone.
- Themes that reveal a major inconsistency with the inclusion of the
plant; not expressed by specific law but from a technical opinion.
RED - High criticality: level of territorial sensitivity very high.
-Need more information and careful evaluation of all
critical factors involved.
-Themes that have a certain incompatibility with the
inclusion of the plant.
YELLOW - Average criticality: sensitive area.
-Critical evaluation of all factors involved: proper
plant choices or management could overcome criticalities.
- Themes reveal no special exclusion or inclusion of the plant building.
WHITE - No criticality: information themes that characterize territorial context.
- Themes that are preferential for the building of the plant.
GREEN - Preferential zone

8. 3. Interference matrix
Biomass
N. Sensitivity themes Wind farm ..
plant
1 Airports P R
2 Instability areas R R
3 Archeological areas Y Y
4 Methane pipelines G G
5 Military areas R R
6 Historical roads system Y Y
7 Hill systems Y Y
8 Environmental protection areas P P
9 Crests R Y
10 River basins and rivers Y Y
11 Contaminated sites R R
12 Power lines P P
….. …………….

9. 4. Research of themes
• Research and analysis
of databases (Region,
ARPA, Provinces,
Municipalities, etc…)
• Organisation of data
with the same
common structure
• Elaboration of data:
geoprocessing and
overlay mapping

10. 5. Sensitivity maps
• Overlay of the various themes into a single thematic
map using GIS
• Exclusion areas (PURPLE) prevail on high (RED)
and average (YELLOW) attention areas which
prevail on attraction (GREEN) areas
• “Traffic light maps“ allow to:
– have an overview of the ties for the inclusion of
a plant in a given site (in particular exclusion areas
coherent with regional rules);
– identify "feasibility areas“, where it could be
possible to build new plants

11. 5. Sensitivity maps

12. 5. Web GIS
http://servizigis.arpa.emr.it/Geovistaweb/

13. Conclusions
• Analysis of the plan/project area
– Identification of sensitivity themes (and ties) and related information
• Criticalities framework
– Useful for simplifying screening and scoping phases (EIA, SEA)
– Identification of critical issues on which focus the monitoring of
plan/project
– Help in planning phases (and writing of environmental report) and
support in making choices between different alternatives
• Support in building permissions
– Zoning maps: the traffic-light map shows potential exclusion zones,
areas of attention and areas which present opportunities for the siting
– Link between SEA and EIA

14. Thank you for your attention
Elisa Valentini Michele Sansoni
DIEM, University of Bologna Arpa Emilia-Romagna
elisa.valentini11@unibo.it michelesansoni@arpa.emr.it
www.diem.unibo.it www.arpa.emr.it/energia