WHAT IS GIS?

A GIS (Geographical Information System) is a collection of digital hardware, software, and databases for capturing, storing, updating, manipulating, analysing and displaying all forms of spatially referenced data. It provides an excellent framework for managing marine renewable energy project data, and providing it to project personnel quickly and effectively.

A GIS uses a number of core components to build up a view of a particular spatial location. These core components may include elements such as:

• Data vector layers (points, lines or polygons)
• Background raster charts
• Supporting GIS databases

All of this data can be layered, allowing the user compare different datasets, constraints and attributes both spatially and temporally. The ability to do this can be a powerful tool throughout the lifecycle of a project.