China launches climate prediction model for wind and solar power

China Power Equipment

17/02/2023 08:15

BEIJING, Feb 17 (Reuters) - China has launched a
national wind and solar resources climate prediction model to
enable provincial authorities to forecast energy demand and
supply, the central government said on Friday. 
    The model, which provides data and graphic predictions on
major variables in renewable energy supply, such as wind speed
and solar radiation, as well as demand-side data such as average
local temperature, was first issued on Thursday and will be
released monthly, the government statement said. 
    China's electric grid system has faced challenges as peak
demand spikes during abnormally cold or hot weather have
exceeded local power supplies, leading to power outages. 
    This has been compounded by the country's swing toward
renewable energy sources, which fluctuate depending on weather
conditions. China has said it aims for renewable power to
account for more than 50% of its electricity generation capacity
by 2025. 
    In August last year, southwest China endured power cuts as
scorching temperatures drove up household demand from air
conditioning and low rainfall reduced output from local hydro
plants. 
 (Reporting by Andrew Hayley; editing by Barbara Lewis)
 ((Andrew.Hayley@thomsonreuters.com;))