Until recently, access to high quality global wind and solar resource information from a reliable, consistent source was not an option for most people. This information is vital to a wide variety of fields, from energy development, infrastructure, efficiency, and policy planning to agriculture and conservation. However, it is often beyond the budgets of the non-profits, NGO’s, and public agencies conducting this important research. For example, it will support individuals like energy consultant, Allison Archambault, and conservation geographer, James Oakleaf. Allison Archambault provides strategic guidance, such as market research, policy analysis, and business development, to promote the adoption of sustainable, scalable renewable energy projects, particularly in rural and developing areas. “My clients have found 3TIER’s data helpful in painting a picture of renewable energy potential,” said Allison Archambault, founder and principal, Fresh Generation LLC. “With better visibility into renewable resources, policy makers, companies, and consumers can make better decisions about how to unlock the value of a clean economy. There is an ah-ha moment when people see the resource mix for their place on Earth, so this democratization of data is an important contribution to the public domain.”

James Oakleaf and his colleagues at The Nature Conservancy evaluate areas at risk for major development, including renewable energy, with the goal to help mitigate the impacts of new energy projects on wildlife and biodiversity. They will be using 3TIER’s data to support research estimating potential renewable generation capacity in lands of low value for biodiversity conservation, highlighting places were renewable energy development should be prioritized. “In our research, we hope to show that renewable energy and the environment do not need to be in direct conflict. Through education, planning, and smart infrastructure growth, there are ways both can exist harmoniously,” said James Oakleaf. “Global analysis like this requires a variety of data, and many times these are difficult to obtain, restricted in their use, or quite costly. Making high quality, accurate global data like 3TIER’s publicly available is a tremendous resource for those in the conservation community.”

“At 3TIER, our belief is that better information empowers smarter decision-making,” said Dr. Pascal Storck, 3TIER global director. “Google’s mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful is well aligned with our goal and we are thrilled to be a part of this launch. Together we are truly making a difference for people like James and Allison.”

3TIER’s wind and solar datasets are the most advanced global datasets ever created and provide a sophisticated alternative to publicly available sources. Each dataset offers annual average values created using proven, widely-accepted scientific techniques and derived from long-term historical weather models of 10 or more years at high spatial and temporal resolutions. The solar dataset, for example, has a resolution 3 to 30 times higher than any other publicly available data source and offers hour-by-hour information anywhere in the world.

For strategic planning at the project level, 3TIER delivers comprehensive wind and solar energy assessment and forecasting services and has years of experience working with the largest utility-scale developers, operators, and financing partners around the world.

Access to 3TIER’s datasets within Google’s Map Gallery is available here:  http://maps.google.com/gallery/search?hl=en&q=renewable+energy

3TIER
www.3tier.com

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3TIER provides forecasts and tracks power production for wind plants.

Efficient wind plant operations, energy integration, and power trading require quick decisions with substantial exposure to risk. Such decisions impact production, operational costs, and ultimately project profitability. As one of the largest wind power forecasters in the world, 3TIER says it delivers the accuracy and context needed to manage risk and optimize operations at a single project or across an entire region.

The company says it:

• Forecasts 17 GW of project-specific capacity
• Forecasts for over 43 GW of installed capacity worldwide
• Has 95% client retention, and
• Provides top rated customer service

For industry-leading accuracy, the company says its approach combines state-of-the-art numerical weather prediction models with statistical techniques that tune its models using the best available observations. Company developed technology lets it deliver hour, day, week, and months-ahead forecasts at a single project or across a broad production area. The company’s dynamic dashboard interface gives instant access to forecasting information for all project sites and energy regions. Users can:

• View, download, and integrate data via an API
• Perform scenario analysis
• Customize data displays to the demands of client work flows
• Get context and risk-adjust transactions with advanced verification tools
• Access an unprecedented amount of historical forecast data

3TIER
www.3tier.com

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3TIER and Clean Electric, who have had great success partnering in Israel to develop a pipeline of pre-qualified wind energy projects, are expanding the coverage of their partnership to include the Russian and Ukrainian markets. A key ingredient of the pipeline is an accurate quantification of the exposure to wind and solar resource risk and uncertainty. Accurate measurement plays a critical role in enabling precise decisions regarding project prioritization and an optimal financial structure. Correct decisions in turn drive quicker adoption of renewable energy.

“We’re thrilled to expand the scope of our partnership with Clean Electric ” says Steve Ross, the managing director of 3TIER’s EMEA region. “Our partnership combines the complimentary skills of each company to increase access to state-of-the-art renewable energy assessment and forecasting within these growing markets. The Eastern European market is of great importance to 3TIER and this partnership will help strengthen our excellent existing relationships as well as foster new global relationships”.

3TIER and Clean Electric are exhibiting and speaking at CISWIND-2013 in Kiev, Ukraine, on March 28 and 29.

3TIER
www.3tier.com

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