Ensemble Learning Approach for Probabilistic Forecasting of Solar Power Generation

Azhar Ahmed Mohammed and Zeyar Aung
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Azhar Ahmed Mohammed: Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, 54224 Abu Dhabi, UAE
Zeyar Aung: Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, 54224 Abu Dhabi, UAE

Energies, 2016, vol. 9, issue 12, 1-17

Abstract: Probabilistic forecasting accounts for the uncertainty in prediction that arises from inaccurate input data due to measurement errors, as well as the inherent inaccuracy of a prediction model. Because of the variable nature of renewable power generation depending on weather conditions, probabilistic forecasting is well suited to it. For a grid-tied solar farm, it is increasingly important to forecast the solar power generation several hours ahead. In this study, we propose three different methods for ensemble probabilistic forecasting, derived from seven individual machine learning models, to generate 24-h ahead solar power forecasts. We have shown that while all of the individual machine learning models are more accurate than the traditional benchmark models, like autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), the ensemble models offer even more accurate results than any individual machine learning model alone does. Furthermore, it is observed that running separate models on the data belonging to the same hour of the day vastly improves the accuracy of the results. Getting more accurate forecasts will help the stakeholders come up with better decisions in resource planning and control when large-scale solar farms are integrated into the power grid.

Keywords: solar power; probabilistic forecasting; regression; machine learning; ensemble models (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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