Introducing State-of-the-Art Water Intelligence
Wegaw delivers accurate water intelligence for decision-making in hydropower through AI-powered snow water storage estimations and streamflow forecasting. This solution supports hydropower operators and traders in optimizing generation, reducing risk, and making better market decisions. The service leverages satellites, ground stations, and atmospheric model outputs to deliver high-resolution, daily estimates of snow water storage and streamflow – powered by AI models trained on billions of high-fidelity environmental and meteorological data points. Snowpack patterns are immensely complex, and simple simulations based solely on temperature and precipitation simply aren’t enough to accurately quantify snowmelt contributions… not in the short term or long run.
Key Benefits and Performance Metrics
- Over 90% accuracy achieved using Deep Learning on RADAR signal imagery.
- Up to 10% increase in energy production in snow-prone regions.
- Up to 30% reduction in water spill.
- Seasonal water forecast improvements with error reduction by 20 to 40% compared to multiannual average water discharge.
- Approximately 5% price improvement for trading through more precise market positioning.
Cutting-Edge Solutions for Hydropower
Wegaw’s approach is built for modern hydropower, providing daily Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) estimates that quantify more than just snow depth – they show how much water is stored across catchments, allowing for more accurate inflow forecasting. By combining curated weather forecast ensembles with proprietary SWE data, streamflow forecasts are produced across multiple time horizons, ranging from hourly to seasonal. This innovative take on water resource management is proving to be a real game changer… especially for operators who need quick, reliable forecasts in an ever-changing climate.
Real-World Insights and Success Stories
From interactive snow water equivalent and snow height visualizations to detailed technical reports, real-world insights provided by Wegaw are driving the renewable energy transition. Early projects have shown that satellite data and AI can accelerate progress in the renewable energy sector – a trend that is making waves across the industry. Case projects include detailed explorations of how deep learning solutions can be applied to solar power through super-resolution snow height mapping. Additionally, Swiss hydropower industry stakeholders have reaped the rewards of highly accurate seasonal forecasts, proving the effectiveness of using cutting-edge satellite data in hydropower operations.
Innovative Advisory and Strategic Partnerships
Wegaw’s ingenuity in water intelligence has attracted major industry players and respected energy leaders. A notable move was the inclusion of Johannes Holdø – a highly knowledgeable go-to-market strategist – on its Advisory Board, enhancing the strategic vision behind the project. Collaborative studies, like the feasibility study in the Italian hydropower cluster with Enel and ESA, underline the importance of cooperation between industry and science. These partnerships serve as a testament to the value of satellite-based snow monitoring — an approach that is redefining how water supply forecasting is performed in Switzerland and beyond.
Innovative Technological Impact
Built on decades of environmental data, Wegaw turns satellite and weather information into actionable intelligence. With forecast horizons from one hour up to over 12 months, the product enables smarter scheduling, optimized generation, and improved market positioning. There’s a dynamic blend of tradition and innovation here – a transition from conventional methods to AI-enhanced forecasting that ushers in a new era for hydropower. The cutting-edge solutions and interactive visualizations, such as the creative snow maps detailing snow water equivalent and snow height, bring modern hydropower forecasting into clear focus.
Sustainable Development Impact
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – enhancing hydropower generation and boosting clean energy output.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – fostering innovation through the integration of satellite data and AI.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – contributing to sustainable infrastructure by optimizing water resource management.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – enabling more accurate forecasts that support climate resilience and adaptation.
Driving the Renewable Energy Transition
Wegaw’s offerings are at the heart of the transition to a 100% clean energy future, delivering unique space-based insights that support optimal hydropower generation and trading. Leveraging deep learning and RADAR signal imagery, the system reaches unprecedented accuracies and supports short-term discharge detection that can lead to the stabilization and growth of hydropower operations. The ability to improve forecasts, optimize output, and maximize returns is essential for modern energy trading – especially in energy sectors that rely on the fickle nature of weather conditions. It’s clear that these technological advances not only reduce risk and costs, but also pave the way for a robust renewable energy infrastructure. The blend of detailed data, innovative forecasting, and strategic partnerships truly encapsulates how water intelligence can power critical decisions in an ever-evolving energy market…
