[Webinar Series] Launch of MTG satellite: data journey from space to solar plants

EUMETSAT has been monitoring weather and climate from space for decades. With the MTG (Meteosat Third Generation) system, it has launched one of the most innovative weather satellite systems ever built: the benefits of this investment along the value chain of satellite data are huge.

In this webinar, we’ll explore the data journey from space to the end users of satellite applications in renewable energy. EUMETSAT, AEMET and Reuniwatt will focus on the accomplishments achieved through MTG characteristics, and highlight the positive impact of the additional datasets and their improved quality and accuracy on weather forecasts. A special focus will be put on nowcasting and the safe integration of solar energy into the grid.

Jochen Grandell will present an overview of the new satellite system and the data obtained. You will learn more about the MTG system and the many new opportunities for different sectors to benefit from improved data quality and nowcasting.
Meteorological satellites are a key factor in detecting rapidly developing high impact weather and predicting its evolution a few hours ahead. Pilar Rípodas from the Spanish State Meterological Agency AEMET, Project Manager of the Nowcasting SAF, will explain how the MTG system, with more and also new channels, helps the Nowcasting SAF to provide better nowcasting algorithms to a broad range of actors, from Meteorological Services to Universities and Research Centres.
Finally, Mathieu Turpin, satellite data expert at Reuniwatt, will present a use case from everyday life: solar production forecasts. Data with higher temporal resolution leads to more accurate and more frequently updated solar power forecasts, as well as better cloud detection. Accurate and reliable irradiation and weather forecasts allow to minimize the risks related to intermittency, and optimize supply and demand balance on a grid level.
Moderator Annalisa Donati, Secretary General at Eurisy, will guide you through the event, from the contributions of space applications and data to many diverse sectors, the benefits enjoyed as well as the challenges faced by users‘ communities in integration and use.

The Meteosat Third Generation satellite system is set to revolutionise weather forecasting. Credits: EUMETSAT.

Join our discussion if you want to learn more about solar power forecasts from satellite data, if you’re a user of nowcasting and want to learn about new possibilities with MTG, and its applications in the renewable energy sector, and if you are interested in the impact of data from space on our every life in Europe.

After this webinar you’ll have an understanding of:

  • the success story of the MTG system launch, and the opportunities it offers outside the space sector

  • the importance of precise nowcasting, and its close ties with high quality satellite data

  • nowcasting applications: solar production forecasts to mitigate intermittency

  • the satellite data journey from space to everyday life in Europe 

     

About the speakers:

Jochen Grandell’s interest in space led him to study space and radio engineering before he found a place at EUMETSAT twenty years ago in the MTG programme, back when the nascent initiative was still unnamed. His initial work was to support Rolf Stuhlmann, the Programme Scientist at the time, with the very first part of the programme, the user consultation phase. He was one of a number of EUMETSAT experts who coordinated with the European Space Agency to bring these desires to industry, who determined how to match them up with what was technologically possible at the time. Now, as the MTG Programme Scientist, he ensures that the cooperation between the science and the programme division runs smoothly. Although on the rare occasion that it doesn’t, he relishes the creative problem solving these demands.

Pilar Rípodas has a degree in Physical Sciences (Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain). She works at the Spanish Meteorological service AEMET in the Satellite Products Development Area. She is the Project Manager of the Nowcasting SAF (NWC SAF, nwc-saf.eumetsat.int) since 2014. She coordinates the NWC SAF Consortium and is the link with EUMETSAT. She has worked at Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) in the Group developing the Prediction Numerical Model ICON (2004-2013). Previously she has also worked at AEMET in CO2 measurements and data analysis at Izaña Atmospheric Research Centre in Tenerife and as forecaster´s support in Gran Canaria.

Mathieu Turpin holds a master’s degree in Computer Science Engineering at ESIROI (Ecole Supérieure d’Ingénieurs Réunion Océan Indien). Mathieu joined the Hokkaido Institute of Technology University (Sapporo in Japan) for a 3-month internship to participate in the development of software to control a Cubesat satellite reception station and notably participated in the project of a hybrid rocket CAMUI type (Cascaded Multistage Impinging-jet).
On the strength of this experience, he joined Reuniwatt during an internship in 2014 in order to develop computer tools allowing real-time processing of geostationary meteorological satellite data. Then, Mathieu joined the satellite R&D team to develop remote sensing algorithms to estimate and predict cloud properties. Today, Mathieu leads the research and development programs of satellite-to-irradiance estimation and forecasting algorithms. He is also responsible for the real-time operational chain and for monitoring the quality of satellite models.

Annalisa Donati is currently holding the position of Secretary General of Eurisy, the European association of space agencies striving to bridge the gap between space and society. As Research Fellow at the European Space Policy Institute she was responsible for the studies on space economy, finance and innovation’s domains as well as the monthly sector watch. Before joining ESPI she was a Young Graduate Trainee within the Industrial Policy and SMEs Division of the European Space Agency (ESA) where she worked on the design, development, and implementation of innovation programmes to boost European space entrepreneurial ecosystem. Previously she contributed to the activities carried out within the office of the director at the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA). Annalisa holds a M.S. in Diplomatic Studies from the SIOI and in Multilateral Security from the University of Perugia.

Annalisa Donati

Moderator
Secretary General @Eurisy

 

 

Jochen Grandell

Speaker
MTG Programme Scientist @EUMETSAT

 

 

Pilar Rípodas

Speaker
Project Manager Nowcasting SAF @AEMET

Mathieu Turpin

Speaker
Satellite Data Expert @Reuniwatt

 

This webinar took place on Jan 26, 2023 starting 15:00 CET.

About EUMETSAT (eumetsat.int)

EUMETSAT is an intergovernmental organisation based in Darmstadt, Germany, currently with 30 Member States. EUMETSAT operates the geostationary satellites Meteosat -10, and -11 over Europe and Africa, and Meteosat-9 over the Indian Ocean. In December 2023, EUMETSAT will launch the MTG satellite system. The data and products from EUMETSAT’s satellites are vital to weather forecasting and make a significant contribution to the monitoring of the environment and climate change. The European Union has entrusted EUMETSAT with exploiting the four Sentinel missions of the Copernicus space component dedicated to the monitoring of atmosphere, ocean and climate on its behalf. EUMETSAT carries out these tasks in cooperation with ESA and already exploits the Sentinel-3 marine mission. EUMETSAT has established international cooperations with operators of Earth observation satellites.

About AEMET (aemet.es)

The State Meteorological Agency (AEMET, or Agencia Estatal de Meteorología) aims at the development, implementation and delivery of state’s weather services and at supporting the performance of other public policies and private activities, contributing to the safety of persons and property, and to the welfare and sustainable development of Spanish society. The Agency has the status of meteorological authority of the state, as well as aeronautical meteorological authority.
Spain is one of the 30 member states of EUMETSAT and AEMET holds the representation of Spain in EUMETSAT.
AEMET is the Leading Entity of the EUMETSAT Satellite Application Facility on support to Nowcasting and Very Short Range Forecasting (NWC-SAF) Consortium. The objective of the NWC SAF is to optimize the use of the satellite data in its application to Nowcasting.

About Reuniwatt (www.reuniwatt.com)

Reuniwatt is a major player of the solar radiation and cloud cover assessment and solar and wind power forecasting. Based on solid Research and Development works, the company offers reliable products and services intended for professionals of various fields, making the best out of two key facets of the meteorology: atmospheric physics and data sciences. A particular focus has been placed on solar energy forecasting, while developing cutting edge solutions to improve the short-term prediction of the solar resource.
The company has won many grants, including H2020’s SME Phase 1 programme, which makes Reuniwatt a European Champion with regard to innovation. Reuniwatt has also been selected among the national fast-growing companies to join the prestigious French Tech 120 programme in 2020 and 2021, and the French Space Tour 2021

About Eurisy (eurisy.eu)

Eurisy is a Paris based, non-profit association gathering space agencies, international organisations, research institutions, and private businesses involved or interested in space-related activities across Europe. To fulfil its scope, Eurisy stimulates dialogue and collaboration between public institutions at any level, SMEs, industry and academia from the space and non-space sectors. The goal is to build solid relations with communities new to space, to encourage innovative uses of satellite applications to respond to today’s challenges and to share experiences among professionals from different backgrounds.