AESO contracts with vendor for Wind Power Forecasting Service in Alberta

CALGARY , Jan. 19 /CNW/ - The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) has awarded a two-year contract to Denmark-based wind forecasting company WEPROG, to provide centralized wind power forecasts for Alberta.

"Wind power forecasting is an effective tool that will allow us to accommodate the variable nature of wind and enable more wind power to be added to the Alberta electricity system," explained Kelly Gunsch, AESO Vice-President Market Services.

Contracting a wind power forecasting service is a result of the AESO wind power forecasting pilot project that concluded in 2008. WEPROG's service will provide wind power forecasts that will range from 10 minutes to 144 hours ahead. These forecasts will be used by various functions within the AESO to ensure reliable system operation.

"The AESO is committed to integrating as much wind into the Alberta electric system as is feasible without compromising system reliability or the fair, efficient and openly competitive operation of the market," said Gunsch.

Alberta currently has 563 megawatts (MW) of wind power connected to the Alberta electric system representing about 4.4 per cent of the total installed capacity of 12,763 MW.

As an independent system operator, the AESO leads the safe, reliable and economic planning and operation of Alberta's interconnected power system. The AESO also facilitates Alberta's fair, efficient and openly competitive wholesale electricity market, which has about 200 participants and approximately $9 billion in annual energy transactions.

For further information: Dawn Delaney, AESO Corporate Communications, Ph: [phone] (bus), Ph: [phone] (cell), Email: [email protected]