Probabilistic Seasonal and Decadal Forecasts for the Electricity System Using Linear Inverse Modeling
Providing a sustained, quality-controlled dataset for hourly data and illumination of climate-related temperature trends
Eagle Rock Analytics
Recipient
Sacramento, CA
Recipient Location
6th
Senate District
7th
Assembly District
$399,999
Amount Spent
Completed
Project Status
Project Result
In 2019, the research team improved and optimized forecasting algorithms; processed and analyzed hourly weather data for trends and relevant quantities; reviewed peer-reviewed atmospheric science literature to identify additional determinants of predictability in seasonal temperature; produced and uploaded datasets for use by the CEC's Demand Analysis Office, the Cal-Adapt development team, and other energy sector stakeholders; and participated in a final meeting in which technical results were shared with the Demand Forecast Office. Finally, the research team submitted a final report for publication, began work on a peer-reviewed publication, and participated in knowledge transfer to support a workshop where hourly data will be discussed by IOUs, CEC, CPUC, and other energy sector stakeholders to illuminate how best to provide access to the data on Cal-Adapt.
The Issue
Weather conditions are an important driver of demand for electricity. As California continues to move toward a zero-carbon, high-renewables electricity system, the need for improved weather data and information has increased. Hourly weather data is noisy, with frequent observing errors and instrumentation failures, making utilization of hourly data difficult. The CEC needs a reliable source of quality-controlled, accurate weather data to support demand forecasting and other activities. Additionally, seasonal forecasts of weather-related parameters associated with electricity demand can help support management of a high-renewables grid.
Project Innovation
This project made three primary climate data advancements: (1) developed a curated, quality-controlled repository of hourly weather observations at 39 locations across California for the period 1973-2019, (2) provided recommendations for how to best use the data and supporting documentation, and (3) offered guidance on hosting a periodically updated database of quality-controlled, hourly temperature observations on Cal-Adapt. Data products utilized in this work supported development of a statewide data repository, providing energy sector stakeholders with regular ultra-high resolution data products that are needed to help California meet its renewable energy and climate goals. Additionally, the project assessed and quantified the extent to which the state of the Pacific Ocean can be used as a basis for generating predictions of temperature in California. The project then outlined an approach for making such predictions operational. The data and analyses produced and performed in this project meet the stated needs of investor-owned utilities, publicly-owned utilities, and state agencies to provide insight into the effects of sub-daily weather on the electrical system.
Project Benefits
Investor-owned utilities and the CEC's demand forecasting group have historically utilized daily climate information to assess and plan for use response to weather. As the share of power provided by intermittent renewable generation increases, and in tandem with the increasing availability of per-user sub-daily user consumption data, sub-daily weather information is increasingly necessary. This work provides a stable quality-controlled record curated for California's energy sector. Providing this information to energy system stakeholders through Cal-Adapt will facilitate a more stable energy system for California ratepayers, by (1) allowing utilities to better understand how diurnal weather variability and electricity use are related and (2) by providing for a centralized, publicly-available, regularly-updated database of quality-controlled data to be hosted on the Cal-Adapt platform.
Affordability
Improved weather data has the potential to allow for reduced cost of electricity if utilities can leverage information provided to improve supply and electricity acquisition purchase decisions. Additionally, access to a stable, q
Reliability
This work provides a stable quality-controlled record curated for California’s energy sector. Providing this information to energy system stakeholders through Cal-Adapt will foster a more stable energy system for ratepayers, by a
Key Project Members
Owen Doherty
Subrecipients
The Regents of the University of California, San Diego
