Smartphone users can now access the most reliable data on global renewable energy potential, for free, thanks to an application launched by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The Global Atlas pocket, now available on all platforms including BlackBerry 10, iOS, Android and Windows Phone, is the only global tool of its kind, combining 1,000 maps from 67 governments and 50 data centres to provide information on renewable energy resources anywhere in the world, according to IRENA.
One of the major hurdles to worldwide renewable energy deployment is to mobilise investment flows commensurate with global needs. The Global Atlas pocket helps bring more investment certainty to renewable energy prospectors and investors. Users can freely access data from geothermal potentials in the Caribbean to solar potentials in the Middle East and anything in between. It is an incredibly powerful tool. -Adnan Z. Amin, IRENA Director-General
The app turns mobile devices into renewable energy prospectors and can help answer questions like, can renewable energy power 100% of this island? What percentage of this city can be powered by solar energy? If I want to invest in a wind power project, where are the highest potential locations?
It allows user to screen renewable energy project sites before making investment decision, create content on clean energy potentials in areas of interest and access images of growth areas for renewable energy infrastructure opportunities. It also comes with a powerful combination of search functionalities including geolocation services, personalized search categories, map views and sharing capabilities.
The Global Atlas pocket is the mobile version of the online Global Atlas portal, which aims to provide access to the necessary datasets, expertise and financial support to help countries evaluate their national renewable energy potential.
Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization:
“Collaboration between the WMO and IRENA enables better understanding of the energy sector’s specific requirements and enhanced access to tailored climate services to support the uptake of renewable energy. WMO welcomes IRENA’s Global Atlas on Renewable Energy as a tool to support climate services for the energy sector.”
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Michael Mansour, Head of Apps and Innovation at Microsoft Gulf:
Microsoft is constantly using its innovative technology to bridge the information gap by creating a platform and tools that empower people to craft ideas and share important knowledge geared towards sustainable development.
We are happy to partner with IRENA in making The Global Atlas pocket app a success and we are confident that it will help in encouraging initiatives on renewable energy around the world. Microsoft will continue to support similar initiatives that exhibit great potential to uplift the well-being of communities and also address the world’s future needs.
Download the Global Atlas pocket:
Photo Credit: Charging Blue Smartphone via flickr user r. nial bradshaw under a (CC BY-SA 2.0) license
You may also want to check out: IRENA: Renewable Energy Targets Quadrupled Globally Since 2005
By Amber Archangel
