The 7th edition of the International Conference Energy & Meteorology (ICEM) took place near Padova, Italy, from June 27th to June 29th, 2023. This year’s conference centered around the theme “Towards climate-resilient energy systems”. Over 150 participants converged in person to take part in three immersive days of plenary sessions, parallel discussions, poster presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities, all set in a relaxed and intellectually stimulating atmosphere. Representing the NETWAT consortium’s WP2, Guillaume TREMOY, Damien RAYNAUD, and Léo CLAUZEL played significant roles in the event.

During the poster session on day 1 (Environmental Impacts of Energy Systems theme), Guillaume provided a comprehensive overview of the project’s context and primary objectives. These objectives encompass a diverse range of endeavors, including enhancing our comprehension of the West African dust cycle, refining the accuracy of solar forecasting data, evaluating the water footprint of solar farms and developing sustainable maintenance strategies. Additionally, the poster, thoughtfully designed by Sandrine ANQUETIN from WP1, outlined essential details about the project’s organization, featuring pilot sites, observation networks, and forecasting tools.

Moving on to day 3, within the parallel sessions devoted to the Energy Operations & Maintenance theme, Léo took the stage to share his recent findings. During his presentation, he delved into the intricate relationship between West African solar forecast errors and meteorological conditions, exemplified through a case study of the Zagtouli solar farm in Burkina Faso. Léo underscored the significance of combining diverse sources of meteorological models to heighten forecast accuracy, particularly during the wet season. He highlighted that while the presence of clouds contributes to critical errors, the co-occurrence of aerosols also influenced the forecast outcomes.

The ICEM conference emerged as a dynamic hub of inspiring talks and enriching discussions, led by distinguished experts. Among the myriad of topics explored were the value of weather and solar forecasting for end-users, the unique challenges posed by mineral dust’s impact on solar generation and water resources, and the expanding role of Machine Learning in building resilient energy systems.

The opportunity to interact and engage with professionals from across the globe within such an enchanting backdrop was truly gratifying. Heartfelt appreciation is extended to the World Energy & Meteorology Council (WEMC) for orchestrating this exceptional event.

For those eager to delve into the details, the presentation slides and posters from ICEM 2023 are readily accessible here. Moreover, audio recordings capturing the essence of the sessions in the main hall are also available.

ICEM in a nutshell
ICEM serves as a well-established global platform, uniting world-leading research institutions, meteorological service providers, energy companies, and energy policy experts. This collaborative forum facilitates vibrant discussions, knowledge sharing, innovation, and concrete actions aimed at addressing the intricate interplay between climate and energy.

The invaluable exchanges and insights generated at ICEM play an instrumental role in honing our focus on the pivotal strides required to move towards more sustainable and renewable energy systems.

As weather-dependent energy systems continue their rapid expansion, these dialogues will assume an increasingly indispensable role in shaping the path forward.

Updated on 9 août 2023