Google Unveils Hourly AI Weather Model for Energy Companies

Google has unveiled WeatherNext 3, an advanced AI weather model that can update forecasts every hour. This is in contrast to traditional systems, which rely on data cycles that typically take six hours to complete.

The new model combines existing forecasts with fresh satellite images, reducing the age of information in a forecast from seven hours to three or four hours. WeatherNext 3 provides more detailed temperature and rainfall forecasts than previous DeepMind systems and also includes predictions for cloud cover and solar conditions.

According to Dan Travers, co-founder of nonprofit Open Climate Fix, electricity trading has shifted towards shorter time periods, with some markets now trading electricity in 15- or 30-minute intervals. This makes accurate weather forecasting crucial for utilities and energy traders.