Tracking Down the Roots: Energy Meteorology
In 1983, the emerging field of energy meteorology focused early on model-based gap filling in data to provide large-scale, time-resolved information about wind and solar energy influences.
Founding of the Energy Laboratory
In March 1982, the University of Oldenburg opened the "Energielabor" ("Energy Laboratory"). Its innovative design aimed for year-round energy self-sufficiency solely using photovoltaic modules, solar collectors, biogas, and a 25-metre-high wind turbine.
Simulations and Research Leadership
The research group "Physics of Renewable Energy Sources," led by Prof. Joachim Luther, had previously simulated this energy concept, confirming its feasibility through calculations. This success allowed the team to explore deeper questions about the reliability and security of large-scale renewable energy systems, including for entire countries.
Advancing Energy Meteorology
Oldenburg's energy research initially concentrated on measuring and modeling key elements like energy converters and storage. However, it became evident that efficient renewable energy use required high-resolution wind and solar data beyond standard weather forecasts.
There was also an increasing demand for methods and data to understand how fluctuating energy sources could be affected. These challenges gave birth to the specialized research field of energy meteorology aimed at developing effective solutions.
“The working group 'Physics of Renewable Energy Sources' led by Prof. Joachim Luther had previously calculated in simulations that this type of energy supply would work.”
Summary: The foundation of energy meteorology began with innovative modeling and experiments at Oldenburg, evolving to address the critical need for detailed renewable energy data to support reliable large-scale systems.