Forecasts allow grid operators to take pre-emptive actions to maintain stability, especially during rapid changes in renewable generation or significant weather events. Wind and solar forecasts play a crucial role in the effective operation and management of wind and solar farms. By forecasting wind speed, direction and patterns, Reuniwatt helps the operators to anticipate the wind farm’s power output, aiding in efficient energy planning and distribution.

Renewable Energy: A Lifeline for Islands

Islands requires wind and solar power production forecasts due to several key factors:

  1. The energy transition necessitates accurate forecasting to manage the increasing share of variable renewable sources in the electricity mix.
  2. The intermittent nature of these renewable sources poses challenges for maintaining a stable electricity supply
  3. An island’s power grid is often not interconnected with larger networks, making it crucial to balance local supply and demand precisely
  4. Grid stability: Forecasts allow grid operators to take pre-emptive actions to maintain stability, especially during rapid changes in renewable generation.
  5. Accurate forecasts help minimize the need to curtail renewable energy production.

Accurate wind power forecasts improve power plants’ performance

Power forecasts for wind farms  offer several advantages to wind farm operators, enhancing their ability to manage operations effectively and optimize their overall performance. Accurate forecasts enable wind farm operators to plan and participate more effectively in energy markets. Forecasts help in coordinating the integration of wind power into the grid more smoothly. Operators can anticipate fluctuations in generation, allowing grid operators to manage the balance between supply and demand more efficiently.

Australian wind turbines

If accurate wind power forecasts bring more stability to the grid, they also bring major economic benefits to wind farms: they minimize the need for backup power and reduce the costs associated with balancing supply and demand. They also help in avoiding penalties from grid operators for failing to meet commitments, thereby saving on operational costs. Reliable forecasts notably provide valuable insights for long-term planning and investment decisions. Operators can assess the potential of their wind resources more accurately, evaluate expansion opportunities, and justify investments in new technology or infrastructure. By knowing how much power the wind farm is expected to generate, operators can plan maintenance activities, optimize turbine operations, and schedule repairs more effectively. This reduces downtime and improves overall operational efficiency, while reducing operations and maintenance costs.

Solar and wind power forecasts

Many regions have regulations that necessitate accurate renewable energy generation forecasting, which means that meeting these requirements entails compliance while avoiding penalties. Many islands such as La Réunion have a direct interest in ensuring that wind and solar energy is effectively utilised, for grid stability but also sustainable reasons. HourCast™ and DayCast™ have proved being reliable and cost-efficient solutions for wind and solar power production forecasts.