Consider Best Practices and Learn from Others

Planning for a generation forecasting system requires consideration of a number of factors, from data availability to information technology (IT) infrastructure to regulatory design. These choices are also informed by how forecasting will be managed and how it will be used in your dispatch system. It is helpful to get a view of how others have implemented forecasting as you begin to plan your work.

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Main Points

• The process of developing or improving generation forecasting and integrating it into your current dispatch system requires consideration of the methodology to be used, the data and information technology (IT) infrastructure required, any contracting and service support needed, as well as associated policy and regulatory options.
• Best practices drawn from others’ implementation of advanced forecasting can help inform your process.
• Don’t worry if you don’t understand everything in the examples – you can return to these after reading the rest of the planning topics to better understand all of the features discussed.

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First, Read This

There are best practices for developing a generation forecasting system based on learning from others’ experiences. However, actual implementation may vary based on local circumstances.

Now, See These Examples

Read excerpts from pages 15, 19, and 22 of Using Forecasting Systems to Reduce Cost and Improve Dispatch of Variable Renewable Energy by ESMAP, World Bank.

Next, See This Table

This list of challenges and ways forward is based on lessons learned in implementing forecasting systems around the world. Identifying the particular challenges you may face in implementing your system will enable you to develop an appropriate plan to address them.

See: Table from page 24 of Scaling Up Renewable Energy Project Grid Integration Series: Variable Renewable Energy Forecasting by USAID

Suggested Actions & Next Steps

• Read additional case studies in Section 3 of Variable Renewable Energy Forecasting – Integration into Electricity Grids and Markets – A Best Practice Guide by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
• Make a list of how forecasting might help improve your system’s operations.
• Consider the timescales that offer the greatest opportunity for improvement (e.g., hourly, 30-minute, 15-minute, 5-minute).
• Begin to identify specific operating manuals, procedures, codes, and standards that may need to be adjusted in order to enable updated generation forecasts to improve dispatch decisions.
• Discuss your findings with the Technical Review Committee and get their feedback.