“Expert system” for

environmental assessmentenvironmental assessmentElisa Valentini - University of Bologna

Michele Sansoni - Environment Agency Emilia-Romagna

INPUT 2012

Cagliari,11th May 2012

Goals

• Development of a methodology to assess the

environmental sensitivity of energy systems

• Development of sensitivity maps for Emilia-• 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)

Methodology

1a.

Types of plants

1b.

Sensitivity themes

2.

Interference rules

Expert system for

environmental

assessment

3.

Interference matrix

4.

Research of themes

5.

Sensitivity maps

data

models

Environmental sensitivity

Environmental sensitivity : “tendency of an environment to be

affected by anthropogenic pressures”

Energy facilities and infrastructures

Land use

Overlay mapping

Regional and local territorial plans

Natural ecosystems

……

SENSITIVITY

1a. Types of plants

- Wind farm

- Hydroelectric plants

- Biomass combustion plants- Biomass combustion plants

- Fossil fuel power plants

- Power lines

1b. Sensitivity themesN. 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

….. …………….

2. Interference rules

PURPLE- Themes that represent ties and special preservation defined by law.

- Very high criticality: maximum level of territorial sensitivity.

- Exclusion zone.

RED

- Themes that reveal a major inconsistency with the inclusion of the

plant; not expressed by specific law but from a technical opinion.

- High criticality: level of territorial sensitivity very high.

-Need more information and careful evaluation of all

critical factors involved.critical factors involved.

YELLOW

-Themes that have a certain incompatibility with the

inclusion of the plant.

- Average criticality: sensitive area.

-Critical evaluation of all factors involved: proper

plant choices or management could overcome criticalities.

WHITE- Themes reveal no special exclusion or inclusion of the plant building.

- No criticality: information themes that characterize territorial context.

GREEN- Themes that are preferential for the building of the plant.

- Preferential zone

3. Interference matrixN. Sensitivity themes Wind farm

Biomass

plant����..

1 Airports P R

2 Instability areas R R

3 Archeological areas Y Y

4 Methane pipelines G G

5 Military areas5 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

….. …………….

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

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) areasprevail 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

5. Sensitivity maps

5. Web GIS

http://servizigis.arpa.emr.it/Geovistaweb/

• 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

Conclusions

– 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

Thank you for your attention

Elisa Valentini

DIEM, University of Bolognaelisa.valentini11@unibo.it

www.diem.unibo.it

Michele Sansoni

Arpa Emilia-Romagna michelesansoni@arpa.emr.it

www.arpa.emr.it/energia