Wind Power Forecasting Services

The integration of increasing amounts of wind into Alberta’s generation mix requires new tools and practices to ensure the continued reliable operation of the grid and the fair, efficient and openly competitive operation of the electricity market.

Studies conducted by the AESO and other industry organizations indicate that an accurate wind power forecast can help the system controller maintain the critical balance of supply and demand of electricity by indicating the timing and amount of other measures required to offset wind’s variability (i.e. the Energy Market Merit Order, Ancillary Services and  wind power management).

In January 2010, the AESO contracted with Denmark-based forecaster WEPROG to provide a centralized wind power forecast for Alberta.

In the initial phase of the forecasting initiative, a six day (144 hour) ahead aggregate forecast based on global weather information and 629 MW of current installed wind power capacity will be posted to the AESO website starting June 3, 2010. These inaugural reports will be accompanied by a monthly historical vs. actual wind power report intended for comparison purposes.

The second phase of the AESO’s wind power forecasting initiative is targeted for completion in late 2010 and will see the incorporation of site specific wind power facility information into the forecast reports. This will be followed by full integration of the reports into AESO operational practices in early 2011.

The AESO is committed to working collaboratively with wind power developers, the wind forecasting standing workgroup and other interested stakeholders to continually improve the accuracy and utility of the wind power forecast. 

Wind Power Forecasting Service - Request for Proposals:

Wind Forecasting Service Cost Recovery Working Group: