What are layers?

In RenewMap, layers are data overlays that appear on top of the base map. Each layer contains a specific type of spatial data—such as project locations, technology types, infrastructure or policy zones. By stacking and filtering layers, you can create a customised interactive view of the renewable energy market in Australia and New Zealand.

Layers help you:

• Focus on specific project types or statuses
• Compare multiple datasets in one map view
• Add your own data to plan and analyse projects

Available layers

RenewMap supports many overlay layers out of the box, including project and status layers, renewable technology layers, infrastructure and network layers, renewable zone layers and local government layers.

Here’s an overview of the available layers in RenewMap’s interface:

• The Updates layer overlays pulsating locations on the map where projects have recently been updated.
• Project status layers allow you to add or remove projects from view based on their status, including development, construction, commissioning, operating, decommissioned and abandoned projects.
• Technology layers allow you to add or remove projects from view based on the project’s renewable energy technology. These layers include: battery, biogas, biomass, geothermal, hydro, hydrogen, nuclear, offshore and onshore wind, pumped hydro, solar, coal, distillate and natural gas technologies.
• Infrastructure layers display wind turbine and gas pipeline data.
• Network layers display current and planned transmission lines on the map.
• Renewable zones displays zoning areas from policy makers like the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and federal and state governments.

How to show or hide layers

Layers appear in the layer panel on the left side of the map.

To show or hide layers:

1. Browse available layers in the layer panel.
2. Tick or untick the box next to your desired layer. The interactive map shows or hides the selected layer.

Tip: Start broad, then narrow. Begin with technology layers, then hide away other layers to pinpoint the projects you’re most interested in. To filter and compare projects across more data fields, use the table view. Learn more about the table view.

Upload a custom layer

You can customise your view in RenewMap by uploading your own layers to overlay on the data set. For example, project developers may want to upload land access or lease area layers to plan their projects. Supply chain partners may want to upload layers showing the boundaries of their inventory or storage locations and preferred transport routes.

To upload your own layers:

1. Select the + icon in the layers panel.
2. Select Upload layer from computer. The Upload a custom layer dialog appears.
3. Select Choose a file or drag and drop your layer file onto the dialog.
4. Select Create. The layer is added to the Custom section of the layer panel.

You can upload KML, geoJSON, or JSON files up to 50MB.

Add a custom layer from a URL

You can add custom layers from URLs, if they are formatted to serve tiled map imagery. Tiled map imagery services include X (latitudinal), Y (longitudinal) and Z (zoom level) coordinates in the URL. They are typically - but not always - formatted like this:

To upload a customer layer via URL:

1. Select the + icon in the layers panel.
2. Select Add layer from URL. The Add a remote layer dialog appears.
3. Paste the URL to your tiled map imagery.
4. Select Test connection. If the URL is valid and RenewMap can display the tiled imagery, you’ll see a Connection successful message.
5. Select Add. The layer is added to the Custom section of the layer panel.