AGH and Nomad Electric Services launch pioneering research in renewable energy forecasting

Nomad Electric Services and the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków invite research teams from businesses, universities, research institutions, students and doctoral groups to participate in an experimental comparative study of forecasting models for renewable energy generation. This initiative aims to create a platform for evaluating the performance of predictive algorithms by applying them to a common dataset and comparing results.

The study is designed to address the growing need for accurate energy generation forecasts, particularly in photovoltaic and wind power plants, where production depends heavily on dynamic meteorological factors. Precise forecasting reduces the cost of balancing energy within the power system, ensuring smoother operations and better resource allocation.

Participants will gain access to shared datasets, including energy generation data and meteorological conditions from a representative renewable energy source using anonymized data from one of the 800 renewable power plants under our O&M services and managed by our proprietary system SCADA Nomad NX . These datasets, spanning a significant period, will serve as training inputs for the participants’ predictive algorithms.

In the next phase, participants will receive weather data only, which they will use to develop long-term energy generation forecasts. These predictions will then be compared with the actual energy production data. The quality of each team’s forecasts will be evaluated using predefined quantitative metrics, providing valuable insights into the performance of their models.

The study will center on a photovoltaic power plant with an installed capacity of 1 MW. Participants will receive access to a year’s worth of 15-minute averaged energy meter readings and meteorological data, including temperature and solar irradiation from an on-site weather station. Approximate plant location details will be provided for context.

This initiative offers a unique opportunity for participants to benchmark their predictive tools against others in the field, fostering innovation and encouraging improvements. The findings will be compiled into an anonymized final report and presented during a joint seminar as part of the Energy Transition Observatory (Obserwatorium Transformacji Energetycznej) project, funded by the National Centre for Research and Development under the GOSPOSTRATEG program.

Declarations of participation are open until December 20, 2024. For more information, including technical and organizational details please click HERE.