Space Technology and Geographic Information Systems Applications in adb projects

ST/GIS Data 
Satellite night view images and population density grid
ST/GIS Cost
Freely available data, analysis by in-house GIS specialist
Users
Public (brochures and flyers)
GIS = geographic information systems, ST = space technology.
Context
ADB aims to maximize energy for all, especially the 
rural poor, and founded the Energy for All Initiative 
to strengthen its investments and increase its project 
portfolio in energy access. The initiative develops 
and mainstreams approaches for scaling up access to 
affordable, modern, and clean energy among the region’s 
poor. In order to increase awareness, ADB made a flyer, 
Energy for All: Asia’s Night Skies Reveal Growth and 
Gaps in Electrification, based on remote sensing data and
GIS technology.
Contribution of Geographic Information Systems
This flyer was made with the night views taken by the 
United States Defense Meteorological Satellite Program 
satellites, whose Operational Linescan System has a 
unique capability to detect low levels of visible and near-
infrared radiance at night and to remove clouds with its thermal infrared band data. The night view images 
were overlaid with freely available population density grid data using GIS. Figure 9 illustrates the global 
energy access situation in Asia and the Pacific by comparing population to brightness. This information 
shows that much of the region is still dark despite its high population (the pink area). 
Results
This image and the flyer have been frequently used in relevant workshops, meetings, and websites. The 
data helps people understand visually that there is still a lack of energy access in Asia and the Pacific region.
Figure 9 Night Brightness Compared 
to Population Density (2005)
Note: White = High population density, bright night light;
Pink = High population density, dark night light;
Green = Low population density, bright night light; 
Black = Low population density, dark night light.
Source: Asian Development Bank. 2011. Energy for 
All: Asia’s Night Skies Reveal Growth and Gaps in 
Electrification. http://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/
night-skies-electrification-gaps.pdf#page=2