GE Energy, the leading U.S. supplier of wind turbines, and WSI Corporation, a leader in weather information and a member of The Weather Channel Companies, are joining forces to launch more accurate forecasting tools for wind farms.
The companies announced today at Windpower 2009 that they have formed an alliance. “This relationship brings together two technology platforms to further the science of wind forecasting and its use in wind farm operations,” said Victor Abate, vice president, renewables for GE Energy.
In its alliance with GE Energy, WSI will build upon its existing wind power and wind speed forecast capabilities to develop technology that provides more accurate forecasts for the wind power industry. The improved accuracy can assist in optimization of turbine performance, power production planning and wind energy transmission integration.
As part of the alliance, WSI and GE Energy will develop technology to collect real-time turbine and wind data, incorporate this data into proprietary forecast models, and provide customized forecast and operational guidance services.
WSI is a member of The Weather Channel Companies and is headquartered in Andover, Mass. with offices in Birmingham, England. The Weather Channel Companies are owned by a consortium made up of NBC Universal and private equity firms The Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX) and Bain Capital.
In February, utility Xcel Energy announced an agreement with the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) to develop detailed wind forecasting.
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