Schneider Electric, a specialist in energy management and automation, has signed a long-term wind energy forecasting agreement with Vaisala, a provider of environmental and industrial measurement.
According to the companies, the partnership will enable global wind developers, owners and operators to benefit from enhanced weather-forecasting services.Â
The agreement was signed following a competitive, two-month trial in which Vaisala demonstrated its performance in several key accuracy metrics across multiple forecast horizon times at several independent wind farm sites throughout North America and Europe.
Schneider Electric's application, known as the WeatherSentry Wind Energy Edition, uses next-generation mapping to provide detailed weather forecasting for wind farms. This includes patented alerting technology to signal wind farm personnel about approaching lightning or other severe weather and includes dynamic location support through mobile device apps.
The application helps wind operators enhance situational awareness and efficiently schedule operations by assessing their risk with respect to multiple weather parameters so proactive and reactive wind project site activity can be better managed, monitored and planned.Â
The wind power forecasts will also be available as part of the Schneider Electric Renewable Control Center solution, an automation tool for renewable power plant performance monitoring, management and optimization.
‘In light of this, and having spent considerable time developing a product that's tailored to the specific needs of our global wind customer base, it was crucial that we develop a strong commercial partnership with a trusted renewable energy forecast provider. Vaisala consistently demonstrated forecast accuracy and an unrivalled understanding of the market. Through its first class forecasting technology, Vaisala provides us a strong source of data that can be delivered globally to enable further development and growth,’ he added.
"Vaisala and Schneider have enjoyed a long-standing global working relationship, and this latest agreement underlines the strength of this commercial partnership," comments Pascal Storck, global manager of energy services at Vaisala.
Storck adds that the "focus over the course of the next 12 to 18 months now lies in continuing to attract new end users to the platform while, at the same time, expanding and developing the existing service and reach. This is likely to include regional wind forecasts in key energy markets.’
