ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, January 12, 2009 -- WindLogics today announced the completion of an in-depth research and development project providing control room operators with more accurate wind energy forecasts compared to standard methodologies. The research also resulted in advancements in extreme weather warning and improved techniques for wind integration cost analysis.
The wind speed and energy forecast system, implemented across Xcel Energy’s entire Minnesota generation footprint, provides significantly increased accuracy with respect to National Weather Service forecast models at both 1-hour (8.09% mean absolute error vs 15.48%) and 24-hour (11.79% vs 15.42%) marks. The High Wind Warning System, also developed as part of this effort, allows users to more accurately predict large ramp events, allowing control room operators to confidently call up reserves (or shut down unnecessary units).
WindLogics, along with AREVA T&D, EnerNex and the Utility Wind Integration Group, conducted the project through an Xcel Energy Renewable Development Fund (RDF) grant. A complete report on this Renewable Energy Research and Development Project (RD-57) can be found at the Xcel website.
“These new tools for wind energy forecasting and extreme weather visualization hold great promise for electric utilities working toward increased renewable energy,” says Mark Ahlstrom, WindLogics CEO. “The ability to provide this kind of information to the control room in a way that makes it clear and relevant to the operator is critical, and more work will be done in the near future to extend the value gained through this effort to our customers.”
The Xcel Renewable Development Fund stimulates research and development of renewable energy technologies and promotes the start up, expansion and attraction of renewable energy projects and companies in the Xcel Energy service area. To date, Xcel’s RDF has committed to funding nearly $75 million for projects to identify and develop new or emerging renewable energy sources.
Headquartered in St. Paul, MN, WindLogics is a leader in advanced wind resource analysis, long-term wind variability and weather forecasting services. Using weather data and advanced computer modeling techniques, WindLogics services help landowners, project developers, owner/operators, financiers and utilities reduce their financial risk and maximize their return through a better understanding of the wind at their locations of interest.
