Research network makes solar output more predictable

Providing clean energy more stably

Research network makes solar output more predictable

Solar power counts among the clean renewable energies. But unfortunately weather is capricious and thus the output of photovoltaic systems also fluctuates. This causes problems for grid operators who depend on a steady load. Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg has thus been working with grid operators and partners from the science sector in recent years to find solutions in the joint project MetVPNet. Improved calculation models based on measurements and weather forecasts make planning more reliable.

For over two years, researchers in the greater Kempten area in the Allgäu region collected data on the strength of the sun at different times of the year, under cloudy and clear skies, at 20 different measuring stations – mainly on farms and private properties. They also included the influence of dust particles in the air in the results.

Basic research with practical relevance

By comparing this ground data with satellite images, weather forecasts and existing model calculations on electricity output, the representatives of the various disciplines discovered a variety of correlations. Firstly, the data helped to develop the existing models further. Secondly, the scientists optimised their data collection methods and developed a clearer view of application-relevant issues. Not only was the cooperation of universities and research institutions important for this, but the private system operators on site also played a decisive role. “This was the only way it was possible to collect the necessary data and achieve the improvements that contribute to a stable power supply in distribution grids with a high proportion of photovoltaics,” explains Professor Stefanie Meilinger, Project Manager at the International Centre for Sustainable Development (IZNE) at Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg. In their final report in the summer of 2021, the researchers were able to demonstrate that they had achieved an improvement in predictability of around ten per cent for a large number of relevant parameters.

More: www.metpvnet.de

MetVPNet-partners for reliable, clean energy: • International Centre for Sustainable Development (IZNE, H-BRS) • Hans-Ertel Centre for Weather Research (HerZ) • Meteorological Institute Munich (MIM, Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich) • Institute of Environmental Physics (Heidelberg University) • Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology (IEE) • Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) • Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) • DLR Institute of Networked Energy Systems (Oldenburg) • egrid applications & consulting (egrid), Allgäuer Überlandwerk Group

Dream weather for photovoltaics: Professor Stefanie Meilinger visits the systems on the roof of the university. But capricious weather causes problems for grid operators.