Mapping of solar potential involves assessing solar irradiation and identifying suitable locations for the installation of solar thermal collectors and photovoltaic systems. For solar thermal, mapping focuses on areas that can be effectively connected to district heating networks — such as rooftops of public buildings or nearby open land suitable for large collector fields. For PV, the analysis concentrates on roof surfaces and other available areas with optimal orientation and minimal shading, supporting electricity production for heat pumps and other auxiliary systems. The estimated potential is based on solar radiation intensity, technical feasibility and the proximity to local heat demand or network infrastructure. Mapping the potential for renewable integration in a district heating system is typically performed by regional agencies, research institutes, or consultants using standardized European methodologies. (see also IEA DHC, Annex TS5 – Methodologies for Renewable Energy Source Potential Assessment, 2023)
The technically feasible potential for solar thermal supported DH networks (open space solar thermal energy) was assessed in RES-AT-2040 based on Geosphere Austria's 100×100 m solar cadastre (GIS data) applying the following methodology:
- Identification of suitable areas (suitable land uses minus protected areas),
- Identification of areas in the vicinity of heating network areas (exclusion of areas outside economically viable distances),
- Evaluation and classification of the remaining suitable areas according to the annual area-related irradiation; Yield calculation per suitable area using regression models for the estimation of solar thermal yields from the local global radiation on the solar collector modules.
According to RES-AT-2040 the majority of the suitable areas identified are sufficient to achieve feasible coverage ratios for heating networks. Thus, using less than 15 % of suitable areas for open space solar thermal plants in municipalities is usually sufficient to cover up to 25 % of the (DH system) heating demand with solar thermal energy.
Wind
The approach for the mapping of the wind potential presented below is based on RES-AT-2040.
The mapping of wind energy potential according to RES-AT-2040 is based on a harmonised, four-step approach combining GIS analysis, wind modelling, and economic evaluation. For the example of Austria this was conducted using geographic information system (GIS) analysis, wind resource modelling, techno-economic assessment, and scenario-based evaluation for the target years 2030 and 2040. The objective was to determine both the technical and realisable potentials under harmonised national criteria.
Potential sites for wind energy deployment were delineated using high-resolution GIS analyses. The process considered topographical, environmental, and socio-spatial exclusion criteria, including slope (<15°), land use, elevation, proximity to settlements (minimum 1000 m distance to residential zones), transport and energy infrastructure (minimum 150 m distance), and exclusion of water bodies, military areas, and nature conservation zones (IUCN categories I–IV, Natura 2000, and Ramsar sites). Only contiguous areas larger than 1 ha were retained to ensure spatial feasibility.
Within the identified potential zones, hypothetical wind turbines were placed using an optimisation algorithm maintaining a minimum spacing of four rotor diameters (4D) between turbines. Each turbine was modelled as a modern onshore unit with a rotor diameter of 170 m, hub height of 170 m, and rated capacity of 6.5 MW. The expected energy yield was calculated based on local wind conditions derived from the Austrian Wind Atlas (AuWiPot) and, for Vorarlberg, the Windatlas 2023. Air density corrections were applied according to elevation, and energy output was determined using a representative power curve scaled to local atmospheric conditions. Basic global wind data are available at https://globalwindatlas.info/en.
Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) was calculated for each simulated site using locally valid investment and operational cost data. For the example of Austria the analysis differentiated between plain and alpine locations and compared the resulting LCOE with the reference tariff from the Austrian Renewable Expansion Act (EAG) Market Premium Ordinance 2025. Furthermore, only sites where the LCOE did not exceed a tariff considered to be economically feasible were included in the technical potential.
Historical development data (2013 – 2023) were used to establish annual installation rates (50 – 150 turbines per year for Austria). These empirical growth rates, combined with assumptions about technological scaling and regional distribution, defined the Low, Medium, and High scenarios for 2030 and 2040. The derived realisable potentials thus reflect feasible expansion pathways considering planning, permitting, and grid integration dynamics rather than purely physical or technical limits.
