National Grid Improves Outage Forecasting by 50% with Help from WeatherBug

Real-time local data from WeatherBug Weather Stations provide current conditions, forecasts and alerts to communities, while improving outage forecasting for National Grid by 50%. (Graphic: Business Wire)

WALTHAM, Mass. & GERMANTOWN, Md.--()--To help keep the power on to more than one million customers in the northeastern U.S., National Grid is teaming with WeatherBug by Earth Networks on a major initiative combining real-time data from community weather stations, advanced forecasting technology, and sophisticated outage modeling approaches.

National Grid and WeatherBug are completing the installation of 55 WeatherBug Weather Stations throughout New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. These new stations, plus more than 200 others placed throughout the region at schools, town halls, emergency response centers, and other locations, report current weather conditions within communities.

This hyper-local, real-time weather data is then fed into ENcast, WeatherBug’s advanced weather forecasting system, to generate pinpoint accurate and reliable nowcasts to extended 15-day forecasts. These forecasts are then input into outage models that significantly improve National Grid’s ability to predict, monitor and respond to outages in a timely and efficient manner.

“As part of our overall outage forecasting initiative, which uses real-time local data from new WeatherBug stations placed in communities throughout New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts, ENcast has enabled us to improve our outage forecasting by 50% over the standard guidance available from the National Weather Service,” says Jorge Calzada, Director - Metrics, Advanced Analytics, & Customer Reliability, Network Strategy, National Grid. “This improvement is due directly to the data -- the increased density and granularity of WeatherBug Weather Station observations used in the ENcast forecast algorithms. This forecast output is then fed into our outage model."

The WeatherBug Weather Stations donated by National Grid benefit communities. Live, neighborhood-level weather data, forecasts and severe weather alerts are available at no cost on WeatherBug mobile apps and online to help first responders, local officials, school faculty and staff, and residents make better weather-related safety decisions. Plus, area K-12 schools can use the weather data in the classroom to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) lessons. Previously, these communities had to rely on weather reports from urban centers and airports located miles away.

About National Grid

National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE: NGG) is an electricity and natural gas delivery company that connects nearly 7 million customers to vital energy sources through its networks in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the Northeast. National Grid also operates the systems that deliver gas and electricity across Great Britain.

Through its U.S. Connect21 strategy, National Grid is transforming its electricity and natural gas networks to support the 21st century digital economy with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions. Connect21 is vital to our communities' long-term economic and environmental health and aligns with regulatory initiatives in New York (REV: Reforming the Energy Vision) and Massachusetts (Grid Modernization.)

For more information please visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com, or our Connecting website. You can also follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube, Friend us on Facebook and find our photos on Instagram.

About Earth Networks: Powering WeatherBug & WeatherBug Home

For 20 years, we have been Taking the Pulse of the Planet® using the world’s largest weather, lightning and greenhouse gas monitoring networks. Our sensors across the planet keep consumers, businesses, and governments informed, updated and alerted. Our popular WeatherBug® brand provides neighborhood-level weather, superior forecasts and advanced severe weather alerts to millions. Our WeatherBug Home offering taps big weather and connected home data for improved energy efficiency and comfort. Enterprises such as schools, airports, professional sports teams, utilities and government agencies rely on our early warning solutions to safeguard lives, prepare for weather events, and optimize operations. Know Before®.

Contacts

National Grid
Media Relations, 781-907-3980
or
WeatherBug - Earth Networks
Rachel Hunt, 301-250-4046
rhunt@weatherbug.com

Release Summary

National Grid is teaming with WeatherBug by Earth Networks on a major initiative combining real-time data from community weather stations, advanced forecasting technology, and outage modeling.

Contacts

National Grid
Media Relations, 781-907-3980
or
WeatherBug - Earth Networks
Rachel Hunt, 301-250-4046
rhunt@weatherbug.com