Applications of weather & climate information for the energy sector

Monday 4th – Thursday 7th July 2016
University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK

                 

Background

Energy systems are the engine of economic and social development, thus their investments represent generally a sizeable portion of the country’s GDP. Energy planning and operations are markedly affected by meteorological events. Both day-to-day weather and longer-term climate variability have impacts on supply, demand, transport and distribution and energy markets. In addition, the energy sector is undergoing enormous fundamental changes associated with climate. On one hand, a transition to increased energy supply from renewables is essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and meeting future energy demand. On the other hand, there is a need to ensure climate resilience across the sector.

Despite the sector being one of the most advanced users of weather and climate information, its rapid evolution constantly creates new needs, significantly increasing the necessity for effective collaboration between meteorologists and energy sector stakeholders. Scientific progress alone is insufficient to increase the value of climate and weather predictions. Improving decision-making processes will require improving communication and mutual understanding between energy specialist and climate scientists.

Co-organised by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS), the World Energy & Meteorology Council (WEMC) and supported by the EU project EUPORIAS, the purpose of the course is  twofold:

  • Update energy practitioners on the state-of-the-art in weather and climate modeling and forecasts at different timescales.
  • Create awareness about the application of weather & climate information for the energy sector and help foster a dialogue between both communities to address major energy challenges in upcoming years.

The course will offer opportunities for discussions and practical examples. These activities will also be aimed at the drafting of mini-proposals for an energy climate service. In addition, the course will include a guest lecture to provide in-depth exploration of the current frontiers in the energy and climate nexus.

The course is targeted at energy sector specialists with a broad understanding of meteorology and climate, and to meteorologists and climate scientists who wish to better understand the energy business. World-class experts in these fields will deliver the lectures, which will constitute the core of the course and stimulate peer-to-peer learning among participants.

The course will accommodate no more than 30 students, with roughly equal numbers from developing and developed world institutions and climate and energy experts.

Venue

The venue is on the campus of the University of East Anglia (UEA).

The UEA campus lies at the outskirts of Norwich, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK. Norwich is one of the most vibrant and attractive cities in Europe.

It is ranked in the Top 10 shopping cities in the UK and as well as being a hotbed for the arts, culture, music, nightlife, and tourism.

Steering Committee

The course will receive guidance from a steering committee consisting of experts and other volunteers. Steering committee members contribute to the preparation of the course, including practical sessions and local visits, and student selection. The steering committee is composed of:

  • Alberto Troccoli (WEMC/UEA)
  • Roberta Boscolo (WMO)
  • Sue Ellen Haupt (NCAR/WEMC)
  • Laurent Dubus (EDF)
  • Steve Dorling (UEA/WEMC)
  • Clare Goodess (UEA)
  • Carlo Buontempo (UK MetOffice)
Lecturers
  • Prof. Alberto Troccoli (WEMC/UEA) – Introduction on weather and climate services for the energy sector
  • Dr Laurent Dubus (EDF/WEMC) – World energy overview / what is an energy system? How does it work?
  • Dr Sue Ellen Haupt (NCAR/WEMC) – Lessons learned from the shorter ranges: weather forecasting for energy applications
  • Dr Steve Dorling (UEA/WEMC) – Operational meteorological services for the energy industry
  • Dr David Brayshaw (U Reading) – Weather and climate impacts on the energy sector
  • Dr Clare Goodess (UEA) – Understanding climate predictability and uncertainty (seasonal to decadal)
  • Dr Carlo Buontempo (ECWMF) – European Climate Services
  • Dr Emily Wallace (Met Office) – Understanding historical variability in energy relevant parameters
  • Mr Asher Minns – Climate change communication and tackling specific communication issues
  • Guest Lecturer – Mr David Lenaghan (National Grid, UK)
Programme

Monday 4th July 2016

1300 – 1345 Introduction & Round the Table (R Boscolo & A Troccoli)
1345 – 1430 Lecture 1 (A Troccoli)
1430 – 1530 Lecture 2a 2b (L Dubus)
1530 – 1600 Break
1600 – 1730 Practical: Imagining (planning) an energy climate service for your country (S Haupt et al.)
1900 Dinner

Tuesday 5th July 2016

900–1000 Lecture 3 (S Haupt)
1000–1100 Lecture 4 (E Wallace)
1100–1130 Break
1130 – 1245 Practical: Drafting a mini-proposal for an energy climate service: Part 1 (A Troccoli et al.)
1245–1315 Packed lunch
1315–1800 Local visit (James Fisher Marine Services, Lowestoft, Suffolk, UK)

Fisher, Reynolds, Gray
2000 Dinner

Wednesday 6th July 2016

900–1000 Lecture 5 (C Goodess)
1000–1100 Lecture 6 (D Brayshaw)
1100–1130 Break
1130–1230 Lecture 7 (S Dorling)
1230–1400 Lunch
1400–1500 Lecture 8 (C Buontempo)
1500–1600 Lecture 9 (A Minns)
1600–1630 Break
1630–1730 1-min ‘poster/elevator pitch’ presentations
1900 Dinner

Thursday 7th July 2016

900–1000 Lecture 10 (D Lenaghan, Guest lecturer)
1000–1130 Practical: Drafting a mini-proposal for an energy climate service: Part 2 (A Troccoli et al.)
1130–1200 Break
1200–1300 Presentations of mini-proposals:
1300–1400 Lunch
1400–1530 Feedback on mini-proposals
1530–1600 Closing and Farewell