High resolution forecasting for wind energy applications using Bayesian model averaging

Abstract

Two methods of post-processing the uncalibrated wind speed forecasts from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ensemble prediction system (EPS) are presented here. Both methods involve statistically post-processing the EPS or a downscaled version of it with Bayesian model averaging (BMA). The first method applies BMA directly to the EPS data. The second method involves clustering the EPS to eight representative members (RMs) and downscaling the data through two limited area models at two resolutions. Four weighted ensemble mean forecasts are produced and used as input to the BMA method. Both methods are tested against 13 meteorological stations around Ireland with 1 yr of forecast/observation data. Results show calibration and accuracy improvements using both methods, with the best results stemming from Method 2, which has comparatively low mean absolute error and continuous ranked probability scores.

Keywords

• ensemble forecasting
• BMA
• calibration
• probability distribution
• verification