Weather Central Partners with AL-PRO to Deliver Pinpoint Accurate Weather Forecast Service to Wind Energy Industry

MADISON, Wis., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Weather Central LLC, provider of the world's most-viewed on-air, online, print, mobile and enterprise weather solutions, has partnered with AL-PRO GmbH & Co.KG, a global leader in wind energy consulting and planning, to create GMS Global Microcasting Service a complete set of forecasting solutions designed for the wind energy industry. GMS uses exclusive MicroCoupling™ algorithms to combine the global high resolution weather forecasting data and tools of Weather Central MicroCAST™ with the wind farm modeling experience and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling of AL-PRO to deliver wind forecasts at any scale, from regional down to individual turbine locations.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100210/NY53169LOGO )

"We are very pleased to have found a partner in Weather Central that can bring exceptional experience and incredibly precise forecasting tools to this venture," said Carsten Albrecht, founder and Managing Director of AL-PRO. "The resulting GMS solution is a significant improvement over current weather models and promises to have significant impact on the wind industry, particularly on day-ahead trading and grid management."

GMS is one of a number of ongoing collaborative efforts planned by the partners to deliver precision forecasts that benefit all facets of the wind industry, including data for due diligence and site planning, construction planning, and operations and maintenance activities.

GMS in Detail

GMS is the first solution for use in the wind industry to combine a mesoscale weather forecast model with a computational fluid dynamics flow model. Unlike weather forecasts that rely on averages taken over large areas, GMS can provide specific visibility into very tight geographic zones. Most services only produce wind forecasts at the surface which is often very different from the conditions at the actual turbine height. GMS ensures that the wind forecasts account for changes at various elevations including blade height and turbine height. It is available in three versions to meet varying needs:

1. GMS STANDARD offers a detailed, elevation-based, hourly wind forecast ideal for near-term applications such as maintenance planning.
2. GMS PREMIUM adds GMS MicroCoupling algorithms, the key to turbine-specific wind forecasts for existing wind farms, as well as modeling for terrain and obstacle induced wind effects. An automated warnings option provides advanced alerts of upcoming low or high wind conditions. It also features GMS Smart Learning, a neural network algorithm that "learns" from forecast deviations and corrects them automatically. GMS PREMIUM is uniquely suited for the efficient allocation of resources during the construction and operation of wind farms.
3. GMS FARM YIELD incorporates the features of GMS PREMIUM and adds "power-based" algorithms that provide modeling specific to each make and model of wind turbine. GMS FARM YIELD features the GMS Yield Predictor that simulates intra-hourly wind fluctuations and turbine wake effects. It offers a detailed yield forecast for wind farms on an individual turbine basis or combined as a summary yield estimate.

For sensitive forecast situations, such as day-ahead spot forecasts, Weather Central offers customers access to the full services of its 24 hours per day weather service operation to verify forecasts and alerts.

"AL-PRO is the ideal partner for Weather Central to work with to bring our world class weather forecasting and alert information services to bear on the wind energy industry," said Ben Zimmerman, Director of Weather Services at Weather Central. "Together we are able to offer a combination of best-of-breed technologies that create the complete forecasting tool the industry has needed."

Information about Weather Central products and services and access to a demonstration of GMS are available at: www.wxc.com/wind, call +1 (608) 274-5789 or email [email protected].

About AL-PRO GmbH

AL-PRO is an independent, internationally active and DAP accredited consulting firm that specializes in wind energy modeling and assessment. Our main focus is site specific wind and yield analyses for wind farm developments. AL-PRO is the recognized and accepted expert in complex terrain wind flow modeling. AL-PRO is a member of the wind consultancy advisory board of the Federal Association for Wind Energy e. V, certified by Germanischer Lloyd to DIN ISO 9001, and was the first wind energy consulting firm to be accredited in the world to the DIN EN ISO 17025 standard.

About Weather Central, LLC

Weather Central, LLC, founded in 1974 by broadcasters and meteorologists based in Madison, Wisconsin, is the leader in localized weather forecasting and modeling, providing professional on-air, online, print, mobile and enterprise weather solutions utilizing dynamic weather graphics, precise forecast models and data, and patented technology. More than 500 clients and hundreds of millions of consumers worldwide enjoy the benefits of Weather Central solution's attention to detail and insight.

© 2010 Weather Central LLC, Madison, Wis. All rights reserved. Product specifications and availability are subject to change without notice.  Weather Central LLC, :LIVE, GENESIS:LIVE, 3D:LIVE, ESP:LIVE, Weather Central MagicTRAK, LiveLine GENESIS, A.D.O.N.I.S. MicroCast, A.D.O.N.I.S. FutureCast, StormSentinel DV, WxWarn2, ScreenWRITER, SportsWRITER, SimulCAST, X-Vision, Storm Vitals, TelePath, RainVision, SnowVision, FunnelPATH, CellPATH, HailZONE, GustZONE, MessoPATH, Always-On Training, Instant Mapping and WxPoint are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Weather Central LLC. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE Weather Central, LLC

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED