UK grid operator launches clean energy forecasting tool after "greenest" summer

The UK electricity system has had its "greenest" summer on record, with nearly 52% of generation between June 21 and September 22 coming from low-carbon sources, National Grid plc (LON:NG) said today.

This marks an increase from around 35% four years ago. The grid operator announced the news as it launched software forecasting the carbon intensity of electricity generation up to two days ahead. The aim is to help people use power when it is greenest. The software uses weather data from the Met Office to forecast the share of renewables and non-renewables on the UK power grid over the next 48 hours and the related carbon emissions.

National Grid is partnering on the project, said to be the world's first green energy forecast, with Environmental Defense Fund Europe and WWF, and the software, known as an application programming interface (API data), is available for tech developers to create consumer friendly applications.

#CarbonIntensity in GB has decreased 56% since 2013, leading to the greenest summer on record https://t.co/kZvrQVjZYe pic.twitter.com/WlF71wlqKY

— NG Control Room (@NGControlRoom) 26 септември 2017 г.

Commenting on the forecasting tool, Gareth Redmond-King, head of climate and energy at WWF, said: "This is not just good news for reducing the effects of climate change but could also help us cut our home energy bills and it’s vital the UK Government bring in time of use tariffs quickly to maximise these opportunities."

Duncan Burt, director of the System Operator at National Grid, said there have been a number of firsts this year. "It’s been an exciting year managing the many ‘network firsts’ - from a day where we operated the system with zero coal power, to one where over half of Great Britain’s energy demand was met by renewable generation -and we’re just as excited to see what developments come off the back of making this data available for all."

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