Public participation to support wind energy development: the role of 3D GIS and virtual reality

Abstract

Wind energy is identified as having a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emission, and Scottish Government targets for the generation of energy from renewable sources. Public policy emphasises the importance of using an ecosystem approach, and the role of public engagement in decisions about future uses of land and sea. A prototype 3D model was developed to present a loch with hypothetical wind turbines on the west coast of Scotland. The model was used to identify issues arising between the growing interest marine renewables, land use changes in line with changing policy and the potential effects on existing seascapes and marine industries and activities. An interface has been developed to provide interactive movement of features in models, including hotkeys to: (i) Switching between images (e.g. 1:50,000 map and aerial images) and GIS Data layers (e.g. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) designations); (ii) Introducing new features (e.g. houses, wind turbines, trees); (iii) ‘drag and drop’ features, guided by the audience. The virtual reality model was tested with a range of different audience types at events in Oban, on the west coast of Scotland, and Aberdeen on the east coast through Virtual Landscape Theatre (VLT) and Oculus Rift. Factors identified for detailed testing included the significance of lighting conditions on the east and west coast, sea state on perceptions of seascape and wind energy generation, and people’s activities at different times of the day.