[Webinar Series] When AI meets the sky: All sky imagers – from basic research to energy applications

We are proud to present a webinar on cutting-edge research in atmospheric sciences and cloud observation techniques: When AI meets the sky All sky imagers – from basic research to energy applications will showcase the collaborative efforts of researchers in advancing our understanding of cloud dynamics and their impact on solar radiation prediction.

In this webinar, you will learn about innovative methods for cloud observation and classification, as well as their applications in renewable energy forecasting. Our speakers will present recent developments in image processing, machine learning, and data integration techniques that are revolutionizing the field of atmospheric physics.

Mehdi Ben Slama from Reuniwatt will discuss the latest advancements in cloud type classification using various imaging technologies. He will present the capabilities of all-sky imagers for Atmospheric Science, and findings from Reuniwatt’s our study, « Leveraging Wide-Field of View Imagers to Improve the Instantaneous Cloud Amount Estimates« . In his presentation, he’ll propose novel approaches to estimating multi-layer cloud amounts from a single image. The presentation will also cover comparisons between IR sky imagers, ceilometers, and radiometers, highlighting the strengths and complementarities of these observation methods. Learn why ceilometer measurements often miss cloud edges or gaps in the cloud cover due to their narrow spatial constraints, while both the camera and pyrgeometer are sensitive to the entire sky dome, and more details to consider when selecting instruments for cloud observations.

Emanuele Giovanni Carlo Ogliari from the Department of Energy at Politecnico di Milano will focus on the practical applications of sky imager data in the renewable energy sector, particularly for solar radiation estimation. His presentation will delve into the development of machine learning-based methods for nowcasting global horizontal irradiance 5-15 minutes ahead. He will propose a Machine Learning based method using sequences of infrared images captured by an All-Sky Imager to forecast the Global Horizontal Irradiance on different time horizon. Additionally, exogenous data, as the solar radiation measurement, is encoded in the images through an innovative technique, the Enhanced Convolutional Neural Network (ECNN). Considering the naïve persistence method as a baseline, a clear improvement across the key metrics has been noted with the proposed methodology. A deeper analysis of the results reveals that the proposed models are more accurate than persistence when high fluctuations of solar radiation are experienced.

Prof. Stephanie Fiedler will welcome you and lead you through the event. We will demonstrate how these advanced cloud observation and prediction techniques contribute to more accurate solar radiation forecasts, which are crucial for the stability and efficient management of electric grids.

Join us for this exciting webinar to explore the latest developments in atmospheric sciences and their real-world implications. Our speakers will be available to answer your questions on cloud observation, modeling, and solar radiation prediction.

After this webinar, you will have a better understanding of:

  • Innovative methods for cloud observation and classification using all-sky imagers, including techniques for estimating multi-layer cloud amounts from a single image

  • Comparisons between different instruments, highlighting their strengths and limitations for comprehensive cloud cover analysis

  • Machine learning-based approaches for nowcasting global horizontal irradiance 5-15 minutes ahead

  • How advanced cloud observation and prediction techniques contribute to more accurate solar radiation forecasts, crucial for managing electric grids and renewable energy systems

About the speakers:

Prof. Stephanie Fiedler is Co-Director of the Institute of Environmental Physics, Universität Heidelberg, where she focuses on aerosol-climate interactions and atmospheric physics. She received her Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Leeds and a Diplom in Meteorology from Universität Hannover. Prof. Fiedler has been working on aerosol forcing and its impacts on climate since 2011, with a particular emphasis on dust storms and their effects on global climate patterns. She has previously worked at other international research institutions, including the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology and GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel. Her research group at Universität Heidelberg explores interactions between atmospheric composition and dynamics across weather to climate scales.

Emanuele Giovanni Carlo Ogliari, PhD is Associate Professor at the Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, Italy where he teaches Electrical Engineering and Photovoltaic-based Systems Lab. He received a M.Sc., and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the Politecnico di Milano, Italy. He has been working on photovoltaic power plant design and optimization since 2010 and Renewables expected power by means of computational intelligence techniques since 2012. He has collaborated with international universities and research centres (The University of Danang – University of Science and Technology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev and Global Energy Interconnection Research Institute Europe), in 2013 he won the joint laboratories between Italy and Israel on Solar Energy ILSE.

Mehdi Ben Slama holds a Master’s degree with honors in Applied Mathematics and Mathematical Physics from Imperial College London and an Advanced Master from ISAE-SUPAERO in Artificial Intelligence. He worked with the Space and Atmospheric Physics group of Imperial College to advance our understanding of Jupiter’s Galilean Moons as a research engineer, before joining Reuniwatt in 2022 as a Research and Development Engineer, working on cloud properties retrieval from Reuniwatt’s fleet of infrared and visible all-sky imagers. He ensures that measures and forecasts maintain the high-quality metrological standards demanded by our clients.

Prof. Stefanie Fiedler

Moderator
Professor, Directorate Institute of Environmental Physics @Universität Heidelberg

 

 

Emanuele Ogliari, PhD

Speaker
Associate Professor, Department of Energy @Politecnico di Milano

 

 

Mehdi Ben Slama 

Speaker
Engineer – R&D Computer Vision @Reuniwatt

 

This webinar will take place on April 10, 2025 starting 4pm CEST.

About Universität Heidelberg (www.iup.uni-heidelberg.de)

Established in 1975, the Institute of Environmental Physics at Heidelberg University is one of the most prominent centers for environmental research in Europe. The institute’s research spans four main areas: Atmosphere, Aquatic Systems, Climate, and Simulation and Modeling, and investigates the flow of energy and matter in our environment in order to better understand the Earth’s climate system from the past to the future. The institute’s approach to environmental research focuses on underlying physical principles rather than specific applications, allowing for flexibility in methods and the ability to overcome traditional disciplinary boundaries. Prof. Fiedler’s research group ALIC2E does scientific work on AerosoL In Climate ChangE. Their interest in atmospheric physics has a focus on interactions of atmospheric composition and dynamics from weather to climate scales, seeking answers to questions on the role of aerosols and circulation for the regional climate, including links to the hydrological cycle, interactions with land processes, and impacts on renewable power production.

About Politecnico di Milano (www.energia.polimi.it)

Established in 1863, Politecnico di Milano is one the most outstanding technical universities in Europe, and the largest Italian university in Engineering, Architecture and Design, with over 48,000 students. The QS World University Rankings 2024 lists « by Subject » the Politecnico di Milano among the world top 25 in all the three specific areas. At the Department of Energy, the Electrical Engineering and measurement group research activities are related to the design of components and their integration into electric power systems. In particular, it develops technologies for monitoring and optimizing complex energy systems as Renewable Energy Sources power generation, focusing on micro-grids, energy harvesting, and wireless charging.

About Reuniwatt (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 been honored as a European Champion for innovation through several European programs, including H2020, ESA, ERDF, Interreg Europe, 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.