At-A-Glance: 

Forecasting the weather takes on a whole new level of importance as more renewables come online and utilities deal with ever-changing weather patterns.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Increased solar and wind generation capacity challenges conventional ways of managing supply and demand
  • Sophisticated algorithms and third-parties play a critical role in weather forecasting
  • Flexibility and energy storage are key components helping utilities adapt and adjust to weather changes

 

Path to 100% Perspective:

Weather-tracking algorithms do provide grid operators up-to-the-minute information on how much wind and solar energy are entering the grid, though big challenges remain as more volatile intermittent weather conditions are forcing a need for more advanced grid modelling.  The challenges of balancing supply & demand, solutions, and more can be found in an article we’re reading from Utility Dive called “How grid operators forecast weather and output from renewables.”