The Korea Meteorological Administration has begun providing more detailed weather forecasts designed specifically for solar and wind generation, giving power producers and grid operators new data for estimating renewable output.
The service provides hourly forecasts for as long as five days, with resolution ranging from one to three kilometers depending on the model. It includes solar radiation, wind direction and speed, temperature, humidity and pressure. For wind power, forecasts also cover heights of 80, 140 and 220 meters to better match turbine operating levels.
From weather model to grid operation
The new data are produced from Korea's regional and local numerical weather models. The regional model provides forecasts at three-kilometer resolution for up to 120 hours, while the local model reaches one-kilometer resolution for up to 48 hours.
Users can access maps, point values and time series through the renewable-energy weather platform, while real-time data are also available through the KMA API Hub. The agency is adding the forecasts to existing solar-resource and wind-analysis products.
Better generation forecasts can help power operators plan for the variability of renewable energy. Solar and wind output can change quickly with clouds and wind conditions, so more precise forecasts can reduce uncertainty when scheduling other generation or managing the grid.
The KMA says it will keep improving the forecasting system and work with power-sector organizations so weather information is more closely aligned with operational needs.