ETHOS.GeoKit: A Python toolkit for analyzing and altering geospatial data for energy systems modeling and beyond

SoftwareX, vol. 35, pp. 102870

Abstract

This article introduces ETHOS.GeoKit (hereafter GeoKit), a Python-based toolkit for analyzing and modifying geospatial data across various fields. GeoKit’s primary strength is its ability to combine vector and raster data sources within a unified interface with low boilerplate code – a frequently recurring task, especially in global renewable energy potential analysis. Originally developed to facilitate land eligibility analysis for determining potential locations for renewable energy plants, GeoKit can be applied to any kind of georeferenced data. It provides functions for loading, analyzing and modifying both vector and raster datasets, as well as for converting between the two data types. Building upon the Geospatial Data Abstraction Library (GDAL), GeoKit offers a simpler, high-level interface that makes geospatial data processing more accessible.

Authors 7

1. Shitab Ishmam Aachen Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University · Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Climate and Energy Systems– Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), 52425, Jülich, Germany

   RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 52062, Aachen, Germany

2. Julian Belina corresponding Aachen Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University · Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Climate and Energy Systems– Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), 52425, Jülich, Germany

   RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 52062, Aachen, Germany

3. Christoph Winkler Aachen Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

   RWTH Aachen University · Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Climate and Energy Systems– Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), 52425, Jülich, Germany

   RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, 52062, Aachen, Germany

4. Jann M. Weinand

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Climate and Energy Systems– Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), 52425, Jülich, Germany

5. Noah Pflugradt

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Climate and Energy Systems– Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), 52425, Jülich, Germany

6. Heidi Heinrichs

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · University of Siegen

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Climate and Energy Systems– Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), 52425, Jülich, Germany

   University of Siegen, Chair for Energy Systems Analysis, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 57076, Siegen, Germany

7. Jochen Linßen

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Climate and Energy Systems– Jülich Systems Analysis (ICE-2), 52425, Jülich, Germany