Breakout Session 8:  Earth Observation Systems and Energy Programs

Chairs:
Jill Engel-Cox, Battelle Science & Technology International
Erica Zell, Research Scientist, Battelle Memorial Institute

Co-Chairs:
Richard Eckman, Energy Management Program Manager, Earth-Sun Systems Division, NASA

Discussants:
Paul Gilman, Project Leader, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Scott McFarland, Business Development, The Boeing Company
Scott Rayder, Chief of Staff, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Paul Stackhouse, Senior Research Scientist, NASA Langley Research Center

Summary: 
The disruption of gasoline supplies and electricity from the hurricanes of 2005 made clear the inter-related nature of weather and energy supply.  Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind depend on knowledge of available solar radiation and wind resources.  Space weather forecasting is critical to protecting the electrical grid.  Long-term climate change is expected to change our energy demand so accurate climate models are needed for long-term energy resource planning.  Earth observation systems and models could be key tools for identification of energy resources, improved operation of our energy network, and planning for long-term changes in energy needs.  Yet, the full potential use of these systems in the energy sector has not been met. 

The demand for more detailed climate and sector-specific information is increasing as energy technologies become more advanced, energy demand grows, and the energy industry faces new pressures associated with deregulation, climate change, and other policy initiatives.  Further, with the globalization of energy technologies, especially in developing countries, climatological information is needed to fill gaps and provide globally consistent information for energy project development and operation.  In some cases, this demand for additional information is being filled by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) data and models in combination with information and services of the private sector.  In other cases, information needs are new and evolving and the full benefit that could be derived from earth observing data and models is not being realized due to a lack of ongoing partnership and communication between government and private energy sector stakeholders. 

This session will bring together representatives from the government and the private sector to plan how we can better utilize earth observing resources.  We will consider what opportunities exist from the formation of a Global Earth Observation System of Systems, which has identified energy as one of its key benefit areas.  We will also discuss the challenges in applying earth observation to energy needs and the best ways to increase the use of these data in the energy sector. 

Outcome: 
One-page document that contains 6-10 bulleted science recommendations, specifically on the key areas where earth observation systems and models can be used more extensively in the energy sector.  Our goal is to come to consensus on the parts of the energy sector that would most benefit from earth observation systems, key decision support systems within those areas, the most important sensors and the data they provide, and the actions to take to bring together the right people and organization to better integrate earth observation data for energy management.

Agenda:
1:30 – 2:00     Welcome (Chairs, Jill Engel-Cox and Erica Zell)
                     Participant introductions (name, title and organization)
                     Review of ground rules, roles, session agenda
                     Brief overview of topic

2:00 – 2:45 Discussant Presentations (10 minutes each plus a few minutes questions)

• Paul Stackhouse, Senior Research Scientist, NASA Langley Research Center
• Scott Rayder, Chief of Staff, NOAA
• Paul Gilman, Project Leader, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
• Scott McFarland, Business Development, The Boeing Company

2:45 –3:30 “Around the room” recommendations – one each per participant – and discussion

3:30 – 3:45  Set relative priorities

3:45 – 4:00  Break

4:00 – 4:30 Continue discussion of recommendations and priorities

4:30 – 5:00 Final discussion and adjournLinks of Interest

NASA Energy Management Program

Surface Meteorology and Solar Energy database, Release 5.1

Part 1: Overview of Energy Issues and an Assessment of the Potential for Application of NASA Earth Science Research, Technical report for the NASA Applied Sciences Program, August 2005 (pdf)

NASA Data Appropriate for Energy Applications

NOAA National Weather Service, Climate Prediction Center

NOAA National Weather Service, Northwest River Forecast Center

NOAA National Weather Service, Space Environment Center

NREL HOMER Optimization Model for Distributed Power

NREL Solar Radiation Resource Information

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