Long-term deal strengthens commercial partnership and enables global wind developers, owners, and operators to benefit from enhanced forecasting services
Schneider Electric, the global specialist in energy management and automation, has signed a long-term international wind energy forecasting agreement with Vaisala, a global leader in environmental and industrial measurement.
The agreement was signed following a competitive two-month live trial where Vaisala demonstrated superior performance in several key accuracy metrics across multiple forecast horizon times at several independent wind farm sites located throughout North America and Europe.
In real terms this means that developers and operators can now benefit from best of breed wind power and weather forecasting information and an industry leading software platform along with all of the other management tools Schneider Electric offers within its online decision-support application.
Schneider Electric’s application, known as WeatherSentry Wind Energy Edition, uses next-generation mapping to provide detailed weather forecasting for wind farms around the world. This includes patented alerting technology to signal wind farm personnel about approaching lightning or other severe weather and includes dynamic location support through mobile device apps. The application helps wind operators enhance situational awareness and efficiently schedule operations by assessing their risk with respect to multiple weather parameters so proactive and reactive wind project site activity can be better managed, monitored, and planned.
The wind power forecasts will also be available as part of the Schneider Electric Renewable Control Center solution, an automation tool for renewable power plant performance monitoring, management, and optimization.
This combination of services delivers an improved user experience, particularly for individuals working on operational projects who may not be directly experienced with meteorology and weather markets.
“Irrespective of where in the world wind farm owners and investors are operating projects, it’s imperative to have access to high quality weather forecasting information to plan for operations and maintenance, maximize production, and safeguard the facility,” said Jon Reifschneider, Vice President and General Manager of Weather at Schneider Electric.
“In light of this, and having spent considerable time developing a product that’s tailored to the specific needs of our global wind customer base, it was crucial that we develop a strong commercial partnership with a trusted renewable energy forecast provider. Vaisala consistently demonstrated forecast accuracy and an unrivalled understanding of the market. Through its first class forecasting technology, Vaisala provides us a strong source of data that can be delivered globally to enable further development and growth,” he added.
Pascal Storck, Global Manager of Energy Services at Vaisala said, “Vaisala and Schneider have enjoyed a longstanding global working relationship and this latest agreement underlines the strength of this commercial partnership.”
Storck added, “Working closely with the team, and having added considerable forecasting integrity to the platform, the focus over the course of the next twelve to eighteen months now lies in continuing to attract new end users to the platform, while at the same time expanding and developing the existing service and reach. This is likely to include regional wind forecasts in key energy markets.”
Click here for further information on WeatherSentry Wind Energy Edition. http://www.schneider-electric.com/en/product-range/61687-mxvision-weathersentry-online-wind-energy-edition
Vaisala is an expert in wind measurement, project assessment, and energy forecasting. For more information on the range of services offered by Vaisala to the renewable energy sector, please visit www.vaisala.com/energy.
Vaisala Energy
Weather is the largest variable impacting electricity generation, transmission, and demand and it provides the fuel for renewable energy projects. Energy customers work with Vaisala to support efficient, reliable, and profitable electrical energy systems around the globe with a wide range of measurement, assessment, forecasting, and asset management products and services. Our real-time and historical lightning information ensures continuous energy generation, improved safety, and reduced costs in both energy production and transmission. Renewable energy developers and operators use Vaisala equipment and services to support the entire project lifecyle, from greenfield prospecting and due diligence to operational forecasting and plant optimization. linkedin.com/company/vaisala-energy twitter.com/VaisalaEnergy
About Vaisala
Vaisala is a global leader in environmental and industrial measurement. Building on 80 years of experience, Vaisala contributes to a better quality of life by providing a comprehensive range of innovative observation and measurement products and services for chosen weather-related and industrial markets. Headquartered in Finland, Vaisala employs approximately 1600 professionals worldwide and is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki stock exchange. www.vaisala.com www.twitter.com/VaisalaGroup
Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric is the global specialist in energy management and automation. With revenues of €25 billion in FY2014, our 170,000 employees serve customers in over 100 countries, helping them to manage their energy and process in ways that are safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable. From the simplest of switches to complex operational systems, our technology, software and services improve the way our customers manage and automate their operations. Our connected technologies will reshape industries, transform cities and enrich lives.
