The UK Government’s plans to transition to clean energy are crucial to achieving Net Zero targets and are built on a foundation of renewable generation. Just as delivering clean energy is far more complex and wide reaching than just wind and solar capability, so too, is the Met Office’s role in supporting the energy sector.
Evolving energy forecasting
Energy forecasting has already evolved with the transition from fossil fuels to renewables. It is now poised to be revolutionised with the move to ensemble data, enabled in part by the investment in the Met Office new supercomputer. Using ensemble data will provide more accurate and detailed weather forecast data for the new energy forecast model being developed by the electricity system operator (ESO). The Met Office is also collaborating with the ESO to identify the necessary data needed to support a range of energy modelling for sub-seasonal to climate timescales. This effort is specifically focused on understanding the energy needs for the 2030’s and beyond. Working with Ofgem, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), the Climate Change Committee (CCC) and ESO, the Met Office aims to make data sets and guidance available for use by the entire energy sector. This initiative seeks to provide consistency, reduce duplication, and lower costs across various projects and research efforts exploring future energy models and needs.
Enhancing network resilience
Forecasting energy supply and demand, and understanding the energy future, is only part of the picture. While generating and storing energy is crucial, it is ineffective without the infrastructure to transmit and distribute it to users. Weather and climate can impact all aspects of this infrastructure making it vital to understand related standards to enhance network resilience and potentially reduce build and upgrade costs.
The Met Office has closely collaborated with SSE-Transmission on several projects, including Ice Accretion and Corrosion maps, to improve design and build while reducing costs and maintaining safety. The impact of weather extends beyond design and build to the efficiency of the network. Work on static and dynamic line rating has the potential to improve infrastructure efficiency, reducing costs and expediting the connection to the new clean energy sources. Other projects are ongoing across the energy sector not least with National Grid Transmission and EDF Nuclear.
The Met Office continues to develop its partnerships with DESNZ, Ofgem, ESO, and other key industry stakeholders including those in the nuclear sector. The scope of the current activities is extensive and expanding. With the announcement of Great British Energy, we are poised to support another pivotal partner in the energy landscape.
