3D visualisation to ease wind farm planning problems

Thursday 8 March 2007
3D visualisation to ease wind farm planning problems
See3D, the new state of the art Visualisation Centre at the University of Wales in Aberystwyth, is working with the leading renewable energy company, West Coast Energy, to develop visualisation software that will help fast track Wind Farm planning approvals.

Visualisation is a powerful tool for the communication of ideas, using cutting-edge computer technology to create fully immersive animated stereo visualisations.

Data in numerous formats (CAD, GIS, Ordnance Survey, Aerial Photography, etc) can be ‘imported' to create interactive ‘as was/as will be' 3D fly-around/walk-over videos that will dramatically speed up the process of Wind Farm planning approval.

The need to satisfy both planning authorities and the local community by demonstrating that a Wind Farm will not have a negative on the environment is central to winning planning approval. The Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) can be up to 30 miles from the site of a Wind Farm and using 3D visualisation techniques allows interested parties to view with true perspective what the wind farm will look like and its visibility from any location within the designated ZTV.
David Neil, Director of See3D said:

“The collaboration with West Coast Energy represents an important development for See3D and is an excellent example of two high technology companies based in Wales coming together to deliver real benefits for the environment and developing alternative energy supplies.”