In a unique collaborative project, five of the UK’s largest energy companies, three of the UK’s largest private weather companies and a specialist weather consultancy have joined forces to review the way that weather observations are provided to the UK energy industry.

In recognition of the vital importance that weather observations have to all aspects of the energy industry, Scottish and Southern Energy, Centrica Energy, E.ON UK, EDF Energy and National Grid, have commissioned an innovative study into the optionsfor the future provision of consistent long term data of weat her observations, which will lead to improved forecasts to the energy industry.

To deliver the project to the energy companies, Weather Intelligence are working with forecast experts Metra Information and MeteoGroup, together with Vaisala, who are specialists in weather observation provision.

Phase 1 of the project will review current arrangements and conduct a trial of alternatives, including the installation of new observing systems in London and Newcastle, the upgrade of several existing systems across the country and the provision of detailed weather forecasts for all locations.

The project will demonstrate the value of a dedicated, geographically relevant and long-lived observing system. On completion of the first phase (March 2009), a second phase of the project will explore similar issues across a larger portion of the energy industry and in other sectors, including water, tr ansport, insurance and asset management.

For further details contact Weather Intelligence on +44 (0)207 688 2556 or
info@weatherintelligence.com