Energy & Science
New AI Tool Could Boost U.K. Solar by Predicting Cloud Movement
Having greater confidence in energy supplies will help the country cut its reliance on fossil fuels
Photovoltaic panels on the Sycamore Solar Farm in Old Romney, U.K.
Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
The U.K. is turning to artificial intelligence to better predict when clouds affect its generation of solar energy, potentially helping to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels as a backup power source.
The country’s National Grid ESO is teaming up with nonprofit Open Climate Fix to design a tracking system that matches cloud movements with the exact locations of solar panels. The tool seeks to provide much greater precision than current weather forecasts.