The decarbonisation of the energy sector is important for climate change mitigation and a changing landscape in the climate and energy space. Consequently, there is a rapid demand for weather and climate information in the energy sector locally and globally.
Solar radiation data
In terms of observation data, we are able to monitor and maintain radiometric stations located in all climatological regions of South Africa. The parameters measured include direct normal irradiance, diffuse and global horizontal irradiance which are important for the energy sector
Forecasting shortwave radiation
There is increasing need for improvement in resources forecast quality. The current transition to clean energy supply requires improved resources forecast quality to support utilities operators and other service providers in the planning and dispatching of available energy resources.
Model development
There is a growing demand for location specific and/or user specific and more targeted meteorological model outputs. Developed models are used to provide data at any given site.
Direct Normal Irradiance Monitoring Index
Resource assessments to determine the suitability of different regions where solar radiometric stations are located for the installation of CSP technology.
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Climate Change Reference Atlas (CCRA) |
Provide a Hyperlink: https://www.weathersa.co.za/home/climatechangeatlas https://www.weathersa.co.za/home/extremeclimateindices
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Additional Information |
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Data Type |
NC, Shapefiles, Jpeg |
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File Format |
Shapefiles, Jpeg |
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Frequency |
5 years cycle |
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Thematic Application Area/ Target Market |
· All Sectors |
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Coverage |
National, Provincial and municipality |
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Dissemination Channels |
Product reports are available on the website. Raw data for further value add are available upon request and commercial terms |
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Product Benefits/Impact to end – user |
The Climate Change Reference Atlas provides a general impression of climate change scenarios compared to the present climate, at a high resolution of ~4 km. These scenarios are for various periods and emission scenarios and can assist with initial long-term planning for all climate-sensitive sectors. The information can serve as a preparatory phase for more in-depth future scenario research, relevant to a specific sector. |
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Parameter Return Reports (PRR) |
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Additional Information |
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Data Type |
Text |
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File Format |
Report Excel / word |
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File Size |
Small /Medium |
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Frequency |
Upon request |
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Thematic Application Area/Target Market |
· All Sectors · Mostly construction and design |
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Coverage |
South Africa |
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Dissemination Channels |
· Emails |
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Product Benefits/Impact to end – user |
The products can be used for the built industry for design purposes. Very useful for the engineering and insurance industry to determine the risk. |
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Climate Data (CD) |
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Additional Information |
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Data Type |
Text |
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File Format |
MS Excel, MSWord, Pdf |
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File Size |
Request dependant |
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Frequency |
Upon request |
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Thematic Application Area/Target Market |
· All Sectors |
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Coverage |
South Africa |
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Dissemination Channels |
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Product Benefits/Impact to end – user |
Long-term analysis, understanding of weather and climate of the area, verification of weather conditions in the area. |
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Specialized Lightning Report (SLR) |
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Additional Information |
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Data Type |
Text or Excel |
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Data Formant |
Report PDF or MSWord |
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File Size |
Small /Medium |
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Frequency |
Upon request |
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Thematic Application Area/Target Market |
· All sectors |
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Coverage |
South Africa |
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Dissemination Channels |
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Product Benefits/Impact to end – user |
To accurately determine the position and strength of a ground strike. Used to validate insurance claims. |
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Lightning Fault Analysis Report (LFAR) |
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Additional Information |
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Data Type |
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File Format |
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File Size |
Small |
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Frequency |
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Thematic Application Area/Target Market |
· Lightning consultant firms · Insurance |
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Coverage |
South Africa |
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Dissemination Channels |
· Digital Platform |
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Product Benefits/Impact to end – user |
The report is beneficial for users interested in analyzing the lightning strokes potentially responsible for causing damage. The report maps provide properties of all the lightning strokes that has a 99% confidence ellipse intersecting the area of interest. |
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Lightning Ground Flash Density (LGFD) |
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Additional Information |
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Data Type |
ASCII |
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File Format |
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File Size |
Small |
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Frequency |
Annually |
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Thematic Application Area/Target Market |
· Insurance · Lightning consultant firms |
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Coverage |
South Africa |
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Dissemination Channels |
· Digital Platform |
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Product Benefits/Impact to end – user |
Provides the number of lightning flashes per square kilometre on average per year. The product is mainly used to determine lightning prone areas. Insurance companies use the products for risk assessments when setting premiums. It is also used by companies selling lightning protection systems and government department for planning purposes when rolling out lightning rod systems in lightning prone areas. |
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WB42 |
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Product Name |
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Product Description |
Summary of the 30-year climate of a specific location in tabular format |
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WB42 – Climate Statistics |
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Additional Information |
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File Format |
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Data Type |
ASCII |
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File Size |
Small |
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Frequency |
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Thematic Application Area/Target Market |
· Construction · Academia · Consulting firms |
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Coverage |
South Africa |
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Dissemination Channels |
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Product Benefits/Impact to end – user |
Long-term climate analysis provides an understanding of the climatology of a specific area. |
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GIS products |
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Additional Information |
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Data Type |
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File Format |
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File Size |
JPEG/GIS shapefiles |
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Frequency |
Small to medium |
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Thematic Application Area/Target Market |
Upon request |
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Coverage |
· All sectors |
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Dissemination Channels |
South Africa |
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Product Benefits/Impact to end – user |
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Heat and Chill Units (H&C)
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Provide a Hyperlink
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Additional Information |
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Data Type |
Maps, txt, xlsx |
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File Size |
Small/Medium |
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Frequency |
Hourly, daily |
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Thematic Application Area/Market |
· Agriculture · Biodiversity · Ecology
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Coverage |
South Africa |
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Dissemination Channels |
· Web Portal · Mobile APP · Social media |
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Product Benefits/Impact to end – user |
· Heat units are used to assess the suitability of a region for crop production; t o select suitable hybrids and varieties; estimate the growth-stages of crops, weeds, and life stages of insects; predict best timing of fertilizer or pesticide application; and to plan spacing of planting dates to produce separate harvest dates . · Chill units are used to predict the end of the dormancy period, to determine time for cultivation practices, and to identify potential growing locations. |
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Lightning Climatology (LC) |
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Additional Information |
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Data Type |
Images can be provided in standard formats such as GIF, PNG, JPEG or in documents such as Word and PDF. An option is also available to provide data in text files, Excel, or shapefile format. |
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File Size |
25 kb – 20+ mb dependent on format. |
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Frequency |
Annual |
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Thematic Application Area/Target Market |
· Insurance · Lightning Protection · Energy · Construction · Forestry · Transportation · And other sectors concerned with lightning distributions.
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Coverage |
National and can be tailor-made at the provincial, municipality or point location level.
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Dissemination Channels |
Information is typically provided by email but can be provided by other dissemination channels as requested by clients. |
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Product Benefits/Impact to end – user |
Lightning climatological information provides important insights into the typical distribution and characteristics of lightning across South Africa which is extremely valuable for lightning protection standards, risk assessments, and planning. |
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Lightning Stroke Detection (LSD) |
http://cyclone-web.saws.co.za/ncastweb/lightning_5mn.html
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Additional Information |
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Data Type |
ASCII |
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File Format |
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File Size |
Small |
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Frequency |
1 minute |
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Thematic Application Area/Target Market |
· DRR · Insurance · Schools · Aviation · Sport and recreation · Mining · Forestry · Transportation · Energy · Construction |
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Coverage |
South Africa |
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Dissemination Channels |
· Web portal · Mobile APP · Social media |
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Product Benefits/Impact to end – user |
The product provides gridded near-real-time lightning maps to monitor lightning activity anywhere in South Africa with the capability for clients to view the current location of lightning storm cells and the intensity thereof. This product can be used for decision making to stop activities when a storm approaches and to resume activities once the threat is over. |
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Short Range Solar Radiation Forecast (SRSRF) |
Provide a Hyperlink
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Additional Information |
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File Size |
2 Mb |
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Frequency |
1 x Day |
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Thematic Application Area/Market |
· Energy Sector · Small Solar Plant Operators · Households |
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Coverage |
South Africa and Southern Africa |
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Dissemination Channels |
· Web Portal · Mobile APP · Social Media |
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Product Benefits/Impact to end – user
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Assist in: · Efficient operation in the power grid and congestion management · Power system operations including scheduling, dispatch, real-time balancing, and reserve requirements · Optimization of PV power systems
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This is a sample of the product for
Wind
