Tracking Down the Roots: Energy Meteorology
In 1983, a key focus of the emerging field of energy meteorology was the use of models to fill data gaps, aiming to provide large-scale, time-resolved information on wind and solar energy.
Foundations at the University of Oldenburg
In March 1982, the “Energielabor” ("Energy Laboratory") opened at the University of Oldenburg. The building’s year-round energy self-sufficiency was ensured solely by photovoltaic modules, solar collectors, biogas, and a 25-metre-high wind turbine, a unique setup at the time.
Early Research and Validation
The working group "Physics of Renewable Energy Sources," led by Prof. Joachim Luther, had previously simulated and calculated that this energy supply concept was feasible. These calculations were confirmed, allowing the team to address more fundamental questions:
- Can large-scale renewable energy systems be reliable and secure?
- Is it possible to supply an entire country with renewable energy?
Progress and Challenges
Initially, the research focused on measuring and modeling components like energy converters and storage systems. However, it soon became evident that truly efficient renewable energy deployment required high-resolution data on wind and solar conditions that conventional weather forecasts could not provide.
There was also a growing need to develop methods to describe factors affecting the variability of renewable energy sources.
“The new research field of energy meteorology was established to develop solutions.”
Author's Summary
Energy meteorology emerged in the early 1980s to provide detailed data and methods for integrating reliable and secure renewable energy systems on a large scale.