Objective & Background
In this work we introduce a new meteorological reanalysis dataset called MERIDA - MEteorological Reanalysis Italian Dataset - able to respond to the energy sector stakeholders who need high spatial and temporal resolution meteorological data to implement the most efficient adaptation strategies for operating the electrical system safely.
Method
The qualifying elements of MERIDA are based on the possibility of using the new global reanalysis data (ERA5) recently distributed by the European Meteorological Center (ECMWF). The ERA5 data represent the state of the art in the field of meteorological reanalysis and are used as initial and boundary conditions for numerical simulations conducted with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. RSE has adopted an appropriate spatial interpolation technique based on the Optimal Interpolation (OI) on a regular grid for the temperature and precipitation variables obtained from the simulations, through the use of validated data from the observational meteorological stations of the regional environmental protection agencies (ARPA). The spatial resolution of the dataset is 4 km and the variables have a hourly time step. The dataset realized covers the period 2000-2018 and will be continuously updated.
Principal Findings
RSE has analyzed some severe meteorological conditions that have determined important electrical disruptions reported by the power utilities through the variables of the dataset and comparing them with the data obtained from the meteorological observational networks. MERIDA is able to identify the meteorological conditions that determine, for example, significant events of wet snow, heat waves, floods, storms, not only through their correct spatial and temporal location, but also through a quantitative assessment of the atmospheric phenomenon.
Conclusion
Operators in the energy sector can derive from the dataset all the information necessary to adopt the appropriate solutions for both the strengthening of the power networks and the preparation of the measures necessary for the restoration of the energy supply service in areas subject to significant phenomena. MERIDA will allow to update the snow loads maps on Italy according to the methodology proposed by RSE, including also the most recent wet snow events and can be used by electrical utilities to update their resilience indicators.