The energy sector has some of the most advanced users of weather and climate information, given the considerable effects of day-to-day weather and longer-term climate variability on energy supply, demand, transport, distribution and markets. As the transition to renewable sources and sector-wide resilience become key priorities for the energy sector, information on climate variability and change are increasingly needed to ensure energy security and efficiency. The industry’s rapid innovation, in turn, results in swiftly evolving needs, an added challenge.
In order to meet the challenges ahead, a summer course on Climate and Energy, held at the University of Anglia in Norwich, United Kingdom , from 4 to 7 July, provided a much needed platform for greater collaboration amongst meteorologists, climate experts and energy providers.
The course was designed to bring energy practitioners up to speed with weather and climate modeling and forecasts at different timescales, while also creating awareness about the possibilities for applying weather and climate information in the energy sector and fostering dialogue between the meteorology and energy communities.
The course was attended by 28 students from 16 countries, combining developing and developed world institutions and climate and energy experts. Lectures where delivered by experts on a diverse set of topics including weather and climate services for the energy sector, world energy overview and climate change communication. To stimulate peer-to-peer learning, participants broke into smaller groups and
prepared mini-proposals for energy climate services. The innovative proposal was tailored to hydropower generation in Colombia, solar farms in Moldova, optimized and resilient power systems in Southeast Asia, and the energy sector in small island nations.
For more information, visit: www.wemcouncil.org/wp/events/summer-course-climate-energy/
