The wind industry is caught between ambitious expansion targets, high competitive pressure and the need to make reliable and quick investment decisions. At the same time, the demands on the planning, operation and marketing of wind farms are constantly increasing. This is where 4cast Horizon offers a decisive advantage: an automated site analysis that delivers precise results in just five working days. Creating a solid basis at an early project stage not only saves time and resources.
The special features of 4cast Horizon become clear when you look at the typical wind farm planning process. First, potential sites are screened, followed by initial yield forecasts and profitability analyses. It is precisely in this phase that 4cast Horizon helps with an automated and flexible approach. By incorporating comprehensive data sets, the tool enables a reliable preliminary assessment within a very short time. In particular, the software considers various long-term meteorological values, wind atlases and topographical and climatological information.
“The key to success lies in rapid and solid planning. With 4cast Horizon, we give planners the opportunity to make well-founded decisions more quickly. Because in our market, time is a critical factor,” says Sascha Bauer, CEO of 4cast.
Scientifically sound: DAkkS-accredited wind assessments
However, the value of automated site analysis is only fully realized when it is embedded in a comprehensive overall solution. This is why the Potsdam-based software company also offers DAkkS-accredited wind assessments in addition to 4cast Horizon.
These wind assessments are recognized by banks and investors and provide detailed long-term forecasts and well-founded statements on energy yield. For project developers, this means maximum transparency, reduced risks and a solid basis for (external) financing. For the project developer, this is a win-win situation, as reliable data also increases credibility with authorities and approval bodies.
Intraday and day-ahead forecasts: from planning to operation
However, even the best expert opinion is of little use if there are no precise production forecasts for energy trading when the wind farm is in operation. Only those who know exactly how much electricity their plant will generate in the coming hours or days can optimally place this energy on the market.
This is where the intraday and day-ahead forecasts, 4cast NOW! come into play. Based on high-resolution weather models and machine learning algorithms, the expected electricity production can be adjusted in real time. This reduces balancing energy costs and allows operators to benefit from favorable exchange prices. Efficient marketing thus becomes an essential component of the revenue model – an aspect that more and more planners are already including in their early profitability assessments.
Repowering: tapping into the potential of old turbines
Repowering is another growing area of the wind energy sector. Many wind farms are approaching the end of their subsidy period and operators are faced with the decision to replace their turbines with more powerful models. This is about much more than just replacing technology: repowering enables a significantly higher energy yield on the same area.
In repowering projects in particular, 4cast Horizon proves to be a valuable building block. Based on historical production data and on-site wind measurements, the automated site analysis can provide very precise forecasts. This helps to realistically assess the potential of new turbines and minimize the risks of a bad investment.
“Repowering is a logical next step for many existing wind farms. Our customers benefit from our end-to-end solution, from the initial assessment to the expert opinion to the intraday forecast – and this is precisely where we are setting new standards with 4cast solutions,” emphasizes Sascha Bauer.
Efficient land use is essential, especially in densely populated regions. Modern turbines often reach significantly higher hub heights, which means that sites that were previously not optimally utilized can be redeveloped. Thanks to 4cast Horizon, it is possible to quickly determine whether a repowering project makes sense – a clear advantage in view of increasingly scarce project resources.
Conclusion: An all-round package for the industry
The planning and implementation of a wind farm is complex and mistakes in the early stages can be expensive. 4cast meets this challenge with a coordinated offer:
- 4cast Horizon as an automated, fast site analysis
- DAkkS-accredited wind reports for maximum transparency in financing issues
- Intraday and day-ahead forecasts for lucrative and flexible marketing
Above all, the interaction of these components offers professionals tangible added value: they save time and minimize risks, while at the same time receiving precise data adapted to the entire project life cycle.
Those who opt for 4cast Horizon benefit from a solution that impresses project planners and project developers. The automated platform quickly delivers what is crucial in the hectic day-to-day business of the industry: reliable facts for a secure investment decision. At the same time, it is adaptable – whether for new planning or complex repowering projects.
Find out now how 4cast Horizon can advance your projects and why our customers rely on this solution: Book an appointment with us.
