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.

The AESO presents both a near-term (12 hour ahead) and a longer-term (six day ahead) aggregate wind power forecast in both graphical (.pdf) and numeric (.csv) formats. On an ongoing basis, the forecasts will be available as soon as reasonably practicable after they are received by the AESO from our wind power forecaster.

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: