The weather is a key variable across the entire electricity supply chain. It dictates not only how much electricity is needed, but also how much can be produced and transmitted.
The renewables of wind, solar and thermal generation are also affected by ambient temperatures, wind speeds, pressure and humidity.
Those with generation assets strive to maximise production when returns are high, and schedule maintenance and outages when returns are lower.
At the other end of the supply chain are the electricity retailers who are sensitive to the spikes in both demand and spot prices that can occur when extreme weather hits. Some energy companies are vertically integrated, owning both generation assets and a retail customer base, with the combination acting as a natural hedge in volatile markets.
Our energy customers rely on MetraWeather to provide accurate, reliable and highly-relevant forecasts. On any given day our forecasts and guidance are used to:
- Predict demand for electricity and natural gas in large urban centres.
- Calculate the generation capacity of closed cycle gas turbines, which are dependent upon ambient temperature, pressure and humidity.
- Estimate wind generation and its effects on residual demand
- Schedule outages of thermal plant to coincide with periods of low demand and soft prices.
- Monitor for extreme weather, such as the effects of heavy rain on coal mining operations, or thunderstorms near transmission lines.
MetraWeather’s energy solutions are backed by the combined power of 23 PhDs in Oceanography and Meteorology, more than 70 WMO-certified meteorologists working 24x7 across three continents, and over 150 years of operational delivery experience.