The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) of Ontario is launching a centralized wind-forecasting service on behalf of wind generators. The system is expected to begin in 2010.
Centralized wind forecasting is expected to improve forecast accuracy and consistency to further enhance system reliability, support the expansion of wind generation within distribution service areas and reduce the administrative burden on wind generators.
Additional initiatives developed by IESO to support the integration of wind energy include the following:
– enhancing the IESO's forecast methods to account for wind output's higher performance during winter and shoulder seasons, when wind tends to be stronger;
– pursuing new opportunities to refine existing reliability procedures and processes so that wind can take on an even greater role in meeting Ontario's electricity needs; and
– introducing a Web-based IESO Wind Tracker that graphically displays hourly wind output from the province's large-scale wind farms.
SOURCE: The Independent Electricity System Operator
