WMO to work with energy sector to boost efficiency of renewable resources

The World Meteorology Organization (WMO) and the World Energy & Meteorology Council (WEMC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to make climate and weather information more readily available to the energy sector. Faced with growing worldwide demand and a massive transformation in the way energy is supplied, the energy sector is increasingly seeking to harness the elements (sun, wind) to produce low-emission power. The partnership will identify and supply the type of climate information needed by the energy industry for the planning, design, operation and maintenance of energy systems throughout the world. It also formalizes the cooperation of the two organizations in support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7, which aims to provide access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. Maxx Dilley, director of climate prediction and adaptation, WMO, said, “Addressing climate change will require a transformation of the entire energy sector. This will entail the development of new services for helping the sector manage the transition to renewable sources, such as wind, solar and hydropower, which are highly sensitive to climate and weather.” Alberto Troccoli, WEMC managing director, said, “We believe the partnership will help build resilient and sustainable energy systems, better meeting societal needs. We want to provide deeper and broader energy-climate analysis and recommendations to stakeholders with a view to improving energy sustainability and achieving our goal of mutually beneficial relationships between the meteorology and energy sectors. This MOU will enhance cooperation and ultimately improve planning, policy and operational activities of the energy sector. “WEMC will benefit from the expertise of a large community of meteorologists, with established structures, standards and documentation, and WMO will benefit from an improved use of meteorological knowledge by being better linked to the energy sector.” Among other things, the strengthening of the partnership will facilitate the implementation of projects on climate services for energy in developing and middle-income countries. To support such projects, a joint training course is also being developed alongside the WEMC’s International Conference on Energy and Meteorology (ICEM), taking place in Shanghai, China, on May 22-24, 2018. Additional areas of cooperation will include methods for promoting climate change energy resiliency and access; energy research, development and technology deployment; training and capacity building; and data, information and statistics.