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Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How Weather Impacts Operation And Dependence On Renewable Energy
As the demand for renewable energy increases, so do risks for weather impacts and grid stability. ... More Weather impact arbitrage is a strategy to reduce these risks. When 55 million people suddenly lost power in Spain and Portugal in late April, many instinctively assumed the outage must have been caused by the weather. It made sense. Extreme weather events can significantly disrupt renewable energy infrastructures – and the Iberian peninsula's grid is 80% powered by renewables. Turns out the weather wasn't the culprit this time. Conditions were pristine on April 28 – balmy temperatures, no precipitation – and the Iberian grid was back up and running by the next morning. In fact, some groups are saying the nice weather contributed to an overabundance of renewable energy causing line congestion and ultimately system instability. A month later, people are still debating the cause of the worst European outage in recent memory. A joint expert panel established by the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity has launched an investigation into the root cause. Here in the U.S., solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower and other renewable sources are becoming important parts of more energy conversations. Taken all together, these sources accounted for about 90% of the U.S.'s new installed capacity in 2024, according to a report by the World Resources Institute. The same report notes that renewables make up 30% of the country's large-scale power generating capacity and supply nearly 25% of all electricity. Given renewables' prospects, operators are taking more interest in how weather will affect the energy sources' future. Renewables, of course, depend on weather to physically generate power. Their performance also depends heavily on operators' ability to protect energy sources from all kinds of weather. For example, hydroelectric plants are affected by intense droughts that reduce water availability or heavy rainfall can overwhelm systems. Heavy gusts of wind can damage wind turbine blades and put mechanical stress on turbine systems and severe weather make up 80% of solar farm insurance claims. Even small weather events can progressively reduce solar output by 1% annually according to a 2024 National Renewable Energy Laboratory on weather and solar system performance. But rather than viewing weather fluctuations solely as operational risks to be mitigated, sophisticated operators can use advanced weather intelligence to leverage weather impact arbitrage. Arbitrage in the traditional sense is a trading strategy where investors take advantage of price discrepancies for the same asset in different markets. Cross-regional energy trading exemplifies this approach, as operators with superior weather intelligence can anticipate production surges or deficits across different regions before they're reflected in market prices. My position for weather impact arbitrage involves capitalizing on discrepancies but in broader terms. It is leveraging energy assets and operations to capitalize on weather patterns across different geographies and timeframes. By understanding weather variations with greater precision, energy operators can make more informed profitable decisions about when to generate, store or consume energy, and optimize operations for time, financial or efficiency savings. Here are a few of many examples of how weather impact arbitrage would benefit the energy industry. Consider strategic maintenance scheduling that moves beyond simply avoiding severe weather to identifying periods when the revenue opportunity cost is lowest based on long-term weather pattern analysis. Or routine work that is delayed or rescheduled based on weather intelligence. For example, using wildfire forecasting to plan or revise work in an area with a high probability of ignition could help prevent catastrophic physical and financial outcomes. Energy scheduling using weather intelligence can optimize output. For example, through high-resolution forecasts of solar irradiance, operators can anticipate fluctuations in sunlight caused by cloud cover, storms, or atmospheric haze. With granular forecasting, they can protect assets during a severe weather event in a specific area of the field for the necessary time to maximize energy generation. This foresight allows them to better manage energy storage systems and optimize production. Excess renewable energy, such as wind and solar, can cause grid congestion. This is one of the causes considered for the Spain and Portugal outage. When this happens, transmission operators will enact dispatch down or curtailment measures. Dispatch down events can cause energy prices to plummet during extreme oversupply conditions. Grid operators must also pay the renewable energy provider a downward dispatch fee that can cost thousands of dollars per megawatt per hour. Energy operators who use a combination of seasonal forecasts, predictive and real-time forecasts have better insights and can strategically plan for dispatch down probabilities. Dynamic line rating for grid balancing in increasingly becoming a global strategy for grid stability. In the U.S. the upcoming regulation FERC 881 addresses the continuing influence of weather on transmission line capacity for better dynamic and responsive line capacity management. Current calculations without DLR are based on conservative estimates of worst-case weather conditions and do not adjust in real-time to actual weather conditions. Conversely, hot conditions limit the ability to dissipate heat, increasing the risk of overheating, sagging, and potential damage to the lines. Both scenarios affect market prices, grid stability and optimizing renewable integration. Battery storage operators can develop algorithms that charge and discharge based not just on price signals but on proprietary weather forecasts that predict price movements before they occur. Large energy consumers with flexible loads could time their consumption based on weather forecasts, reducing usage during weather-induced supply constraints and increasing it during weather-driven production surges. Weather Impact arbitrage depends on utilizing weather intelligence including hyperlocal weather forecasting capabilities with greater accuracy and longer lead times than traditional models. This also requires the integration of weather intelligence directly into existing systems with other data sources, such as pricing, asset locations, service areas and operations. Ensemble forecasts informed by advanced algorithms such as AI and machine learning further leverage weather arbitrage strategies. It is time to stop viewing the weather only as a risk. Weather impact arbitrage could fundamentally transform renewable energy economics by positioning weather intelligence not as a defensive tool but as a source of competitive advantage and value creation in an increasingly weather-dependent energy landscape.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Hindu
‘An Aadhaar system for batteries in the offing', says Tata Elxsi
Tata Elxsi, a Tata venture, has showcased Battery Aadhaar, a technology platform that can digitalise identities, traceability and circularity of batteries, at the Battery Summit 2025, organised by the World Resources Institute (WRI) India. The Battery Aadhaar concept was presented by Tata Elxsi, in association with consortioum partners including Tata Motors, Tata AutoComp Systems, IIT Kharagpur, WRI, LOHUM Cleantech, NUNAM Technologies, and Oorja Energy. Battery Aadhaar represented a national effort to provide batteries with secure, digital identities, enabling traceability, regulatory alignment, and lifecycle transparency—from raw material sourcing to second-life usage and recycling, said a statement issued by Tata Elxsi on Tuesday. ''By capturing key lifecycle data such as manufacturer identity, usage history, and material composition, Battery Aadhaar helps prevent unsafe reuse, non-compliance, and environmental risk,'' it said.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Tata Elxsi unveils battery 'aadhaar' for end-to-end traceability
Tata Elxsi demonstrated battery 'aadhaar', a technology solution designed to enhance traceability, regulatory compliance, and lifecycle transparency in India's battery ecosystem, at the Battery Summit 2025 organised by the World Resources Institute (WRI) India. The initiative is part of a consortium effort involving Tata Motors, Tata AutoComp Systems, IIT Kharagpur, WRI, LOHUM Cleantech, NUNAM Technologies, and Oorja Energy. It aligns with India's goals for sustainable mobility and circular energy systems and is supported under the UNEP-led programme 'Electrifying Mobility in Cities', coordinated by NITI Aayog and the Department of Science & Technology, the company said in a media release. Battery aadhaar provides batteries with secure digital identities, capturing data such as manufacturer information, usage history, and material composition to enable traceability throughout the battery lifecycle — from raw material sourcing to second-life use and recycling. The system aims to address issues related to unsafe reuse, regulatory non-compliance, and environmental risk. Technology and demonstration details The solution is built on Tata Elxsi's MOBIUS+ platform, which integrates blockchain technology for traceability, dynamic data flows, and automated compliance reporting. The platform supports creation of Battery Aadhaar and Digital Product Passports (DPP), chain of custody and lifecycle mapping, and role-based dashboards for stakeholders including OEMs, manufacturers, recyclers, and regulators. It also provides real-time analytics such as battery health prediction and residual life estimation. Anil Radhakrishnan, Chief Product Officer at Tata Elxsi, said, 'MOBIUS+ is designed to accelerate the transition to a cleaner mobility future by enabling digital transparency, traceability, and compliance through initiatives like Battery Aadhaar. Our goal is to empower stakeholders across the ecosystem with scalable, future-ready solutions that support India's green growth ambitions.' The platform aligns with Indian regulatory frameworks and is adaptable to international standards such as the EU Battery Regulation and emerging regulations in Japan and North America. The demonstration included QR code-based access to real-time battery data, providing stakeholders with direct visibility into the battery's status and compliance information.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists create advanced new tool to monitor emerging threat: 'Crucial in the fight'
Machine learning technology is helping fill a key gap in surveillance of the most valuable trees in Peru's rainforests. The University of Sheffield, World Resources Institute, and Peru's independent forestry commission revealed the remarkable impact of their collaboration's use of the tech in a news release. It identified up to 37% of all reported illegal logging in 2023-24 and led to the seizure of 41,000 cubic meters (134,514 cubic feet) of illicit wood. The coverage of the technology exceeds 1.8 million hectares of rainforest, and the value of the recaptured wood amounts to over $19 million. Where the tech really shines is in picking up on selective logging, a technique that poses an extreme challenge for surveillance. Instead of cutting down forests wholesale, selective loggers choose the most lucrative trees while leaving the rest in place. Without special tools, it can be hard to spot the illegal practice from the air. Meanwhile, it is prohibitively costly to survey by foot, and both costly and dangerous to do so with drones. To fill this gap, University of Sheffield scientists engineered the technology with forest data from the World Resources Institute that could pick up individual tree loss and patterns of selective logging. "Until now satellite imaging has been unable to reliably identify the much more subtle signs of selective logging and forest degradation, which is widespread and until recently hard to police and manage," Robert Bryant of Sheffield University explained. Peru's rainforests are renowned for their incredible biodiversity, which is under threat by deforestation. In one example, multiple big name corporations such as Nestlé and Kellogg's have been accused of doing business with a palm oil supplier that is contributing to deforestation. Meanwhile, there is concern that Peruvian laws are weakening and opening the door for more deforestation in the name of economic opportunities. It could all come with a heavy toll on the planet, as rainforests play a major role in absorbing heat-trapping gases. The University of Sheffield team says the new tech allows Peruvian officials to monitor illegal activities in close to real time. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. That facilitates targeted follow-up surveillance with drones, raids, and inspections of dubious lumber. The tech can also uncover bait-and-switch operations wherein wood of a protected area is passed off as that from legal but unharvested areas. The team envisions the tools extending beyond Peru, both in impact and in future applications. "Widespread illegal harvesting of Peru's rainforest is not just a disaster for Peru," University of Sheffield's Chris Bousfield concluded. "The whole world relies on these rainforests to store carbon and support biodiversity, and they are crucial in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss." Bousfield believes the tools can be rolled out "in developing a system for effectively monitoring forest degradation and selective logging across the world." Given the scope of global deforestation, all hands on deck will be needed to accomplish that goal. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
The Guardian
23-05-2025
- Climate
- The Guardian
‘Global red alert': forest loss hits record high – and Latin America is the heart of the inferno
Wildfires engulfed vast swathes of South America last year, devastating ecosystems, closing schools and grounding flights. With its worst fire season on record, Bolivia was especially hard hit. 'We felt powerless and angry to be unable to protect what is ours,' says Isabel Surubí Pesoa. Surubí Pesoa was forced to migrate to the nearest town after the spring that fed her village in Bolivia's eastern lowlands dried up after the fires and the drought that preceded it. 'It's very painful,' she says. Large ranches and farms often use fire to clear land for crops or to graze cattle. Chronic drought, fuelled by the climate crisis and El Niño weather patterns, combined with weak environmental governance, made it easy for these fires to spread out of control, destroying forests and grasslands. Industrial-scale land clearances without fire is also a major cause of deforestation, undermining the resilience of communities and ecosystems alike. With insufficient local and national government support, many people are left to battle fires with little more than shovels and small water bottles. 'As elected officials, we feel impotent,' says Verónica Surubí Pesoa, a city councillor in San Javier and Isabel's sister. Forest loss in Bolivia and across Latin America is part of a broader worldwide trend. New data released earlier this week by World Resources Institute's Global Forest Watch found that global forest loss reached record highs in 2024, with almost twice as much tropical primary forest lost in 2024 as in the year before. That is equal to an area larger than Ireland. Deforestation in the Amazon means warmer temperatures and decreased rainfall, with consequences for farmers and food production. When fire is involved – as it increasingly is – communities report issues from water pollution and smoke, which might increase lung cancer and susceptibility to infections, to disruption to education when schools are forced to close. 'When people live in the middle of thousands of burnt hectares, of course, it's not going to be a healthy environment,' says Iván Arnold, director of the Bolivian environmental organisation Fundación Nativa. Historically heavy rainfall followed Bolivia's drought and fires in 2024, flooding towns and destroying crops. In the Surubí community, in the country's tropical dry forest region, they disrupted growing seasons and damaged roads and bridges, further complicating recovery efforts. Fire – which is not a natural part of tropical ecosystems, as it is in much of Australia, for example – was the leading cause of the loss of tropical primary forest for the first time recorded. Forest loss in tropical regions is especially grave as these ecosystems are some of the world's most biodiverse and serve as key carbon sinks. The greenhouse gas emissions from tropical primary forests lost in 2024 alone exceeded the annual carbon emissions of India. Major fires swept Canada and Russia's boreal forests as well, and overall tree cover loss reached all-time highs across the globe. Peter Potapov, co-director of the University of Maryland's GLAD Lab, which collected the data, says: 'If this trend continues, it could permanently transform critical natural areas and unleash large amounts of carbon – intensifying climate change and fuelling even more extreme fires.' Elizabeth Goldman, co-director of Global Forest Watch, which has analysed the report, says the data is a 'global red alert' to the international community. 'It's a global red alert,' she says. Although the loss of vegetation occurs across the world, Latin America has witnessed much of this catastrophe with Brazil losing the most tropical primary forest of any country. The Amazon biome saw its worst decline since 2016, with primary forest loss more than doubling, driven by fires and agricultural expansion. After a dip in 2023, Colombia's primary forest loss rose by 50% in 2024, though fires were not the main driver. Joaquin Carrizosa, an adviser for World Resources Institute Colombia, says: 'Most of the deforestation dynamics are associated with larger macro-criminal networks interconnected through the basin and … with other countries. This is not just a Colombian problem.' Loss of primary forest surged elsewhere across Latin America. Fires were the biggest cause in Belize, Guyana, Guatemala and Mexico. Nicaragua lost nearly 5% of its primary forest in 2024 – the highest proportion of any country. Bolivia's primary forest loss increased by 200%, reaching 15,000 sq km (6,000 sq miles) in 2024. For the first time, it ranked second to Brazil in tropical primary forest loss and surpassed the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has more than twice its forest area. This 'signals that Bolivia has become a major driver of the global climate and ecological crisis,' says Stasiek Czaplicki Cabezas, a Bolivian environmental economist. Czaplicki Cabezas says the expansion of industrial-scale farming and cattle ranching, weak enforcement and oversight of environmental regulations, and a legal and political framework that values land conversion over protecting forests drove the increase in Bolivia. 'What makes 2024 particularly severe is the convergence of these structural drivers with a deepening ecological and economic crisis,' he says. Isabel Surubí Pesoa says of the latest data: 'We're the guardians of our territory, but this is out of our hands.' Yet, the data showed some successes. In Bolivia's southern Chaco region, Indigenous communities, public institutions, civil society organisations and volunteer firefighters banded together to protect the tract of land that spans national parks and Indigenous territories. After a devastating 2019 fire season, they invested in early warning systems and enforced land-use policy better. It helped them successfully fight back the wall of flame that had enveloped nearby areas in 2024 and 2023. Collaboration across sectors was fundamental, says Arnold, whose Fundación Nativa supported the effort. Just as crucial were the local monitors – mostly Indigenous Guaraní park rangers – who know the area and track conditions all year to enable a fast response. 'What's important is not just acting when there's a fire,' he says, 'but preparing in the off-season.' In San Javier, Isabel and Verónica Surubí Pesoa are looking towards the next fire season. The organisation of Indigenous women Isabel leads is holding workshops to train women in fire prevention and management, and a municipal strategy is being drawn up. They are also seeking support from conservation organisations to equip a local fire brigade, as the group has no boots, helmets or fire-resistant clothing. 'Last year, we often went to fight the fires in shoes or sandals, and the fire burned them quickly,' she says. 'We're fighting so we don't have to suffer the fires again.'
