Tracking Down the Roots: Energy Meteorology
In 1983, one of the earliest focuses in the emerging field of energy meteorology was the model-based filling of data gaps to provide large-scale, time-resolved information on wind and solar energy influences.
The Energielabor at the University of Oldenburg
In March 1982, the "Energielabor" ("Energy Laboratory") was inaugurated at the University of Oldenburg. Unique for its time, the building was designed to be energy self-sufficient year-round using only photovoltaic modules, solar collectors, biogas, and a 25-metre-high wind turbine.
“The working group 'Physics of Renewable Energy Sources' led by Prof. Joachim Luther had previously simulated that this type of energy supply would work.”
Indeed, these calculations proved accurate, allowing the team to shift their attention to fundamental questions such as whether large-scale renewable energy supply systems could be reliable and secure, even for an entire country.
Early Research Focus and Emerging Needs
The initial energy research at Oldenburg concentrated on measuring and modeling individual components like energy converters and storage systems. However, it quickly became evident that efficient use of renewable energy required high-resolution data on wind and solar energy that conventional weather forecasts could not supply.
Additionally, there was an increasing demand for methods and data to describe the potential influences on fluctuating energy sources. This necessity led to the foundation of the new research field of energy meteorology, aimed at developing such solutions.
Author's summary: Energy meteorology originated from early challenges in modeling renewable energy data gaps and has evolved to provide precise, large-scale weather information essential for reliable renewable energy systems.