Weather research for optimum integration of wind power into a hydro-dominant power grid

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In a bold move to encourage green-energy development, BC Hydro (a Crown corporation) has been directed by the government to purchase power from approved private wind-energy companies. Because wind power is unreliable and cannot be stored, BC Hydro must optimally compensate its dominant hydroelectric production to accommodate the intermittent wind-power. Given the diverse stakeholders involved, this optimization is extremely difficult in the face of uncertain weather forecasts. Our research will provide improved rain forecasts for hydroelectric reservoir watersheds, and improved wind forecasts at wind-turbine farms, so that BC Hydro engineers can better optimize their production. We will use multiple weather-forecast computer codes to predict the chance of different weather outcomes. Such probabilistic forecasts allow safer and more economical power production. In particular, we will work to improve the probabilistic forecasts by: (1) participating in a field program to better measure the weather that approaches Canada from over the Pacific; (2) calibrating the computerized