New 72-hour grid forecasts: Advanced load optimization for greater carbon and cost savings

We are excited to announce the latest feature addition to Electricity Maps’ API: 72-hour grid forecasts for flow-traced carbon intensity, renewable energy share (RE%), and power mix signals are now available for 100+ zones on the API.

Advantages of forecasting 72 hours ahead

This new forecasting capability empowers Electricity Maps’ users to optimize for even greater emissions reductions and electricity cost savings. The ability to anticipate upcoming electricity trends across several days allows businesses to more efficiently shift operations to times when renewable energy is more abundant or when carbon intensity is at its lowest. For example, in Germany, shifting loads from the worst (high-carbon intensity) to the best (low-carbon intensity) hour over 72 hours unlocks 59% of carbon savings (compared to 44% for 24 hours). In Texas 72-hour optimization can save 50% (compared to 39% over a 24-hour horizon). These periods of low-carbon electricity often correlate with lower electricity prices.

Key advantages of this release include:

• Improved load optimization: With a longer forecasting horizon, companies can shift energy loads over a greater time span (e.g. over the weekend), providing more opportunities for optimization and higher potential emissions and cost reductions.
• Better products for your customers: Build advanced features that unlock customer value by allowing your end-users to optimize their electricity consumption across multiple days, such as over the weekend.
• Faster progress to net-zero: Improved emissions reductions can accelerate companies’ progress toward their sustainability goals.
• Global reliable data: Quality-guaranteed forecasts offer consistency and accuracy across the globe.

Who can benefit from 72-hour forecasts?‍

The new release brings significant value to our clients in a variety of industries. Specifically:

• Enterprises and tech companies with large IT infrastructure can more efficiently shift their computing workloads to run on cleaner electricity, significantly reducing emissions.
• EV manufacturers and CPOs can help their customers optimize EV charging for lower carbon footprints and reduced costs. 
• Smart home or connected devices providers can enable users to save more carbon and cost by optimizing the use and charge of such devices by planning days ahead.

How could this look like in practice? 

With the new 72-hour forecasts, users can optimize electricity use for both costs and emissions over several days, such as in the case of EV charging. For example, starting December 11th, 2024, Northern Europe experienced a "Dunkelflaute," where a lack of wind and solar generation led to a significant increase in electricity prices, peaking at 936€/MWh on December 12th.

By using 72-hour grid forecasts, carbon-intelligent EV software could have predicted this spike in electricity price and emissions and enabled EV owners to adjust their charging schedule. As the wind started blowing again after the Dunkelflaute, electricity prices decreased from 936€/MWh to 40€/MWh and carbon intensity fell by 70% within 72 hours in Germany. By intelligently shifting their EV’s electricity use, they would not only have saved significant costs but also reduced emissions by avoiding high-carbon intensity periods. 

Highest quality standards

At Electricity Maps, we are committed to providing highly accurate and reliable forecasts. We closely monitor and continuously improve our forecast quality. All our grid forecasts are validated and come with a guarantee of quality*. For example, our renewable energy share forecasts come with an error below 10%. 

Want to take advantage of our extended forecasts for better load optimization? We're excited to work with you and share our expertise.

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* Forecast quality is being monitored on all available forecast horizons, including the 72h forecasts. SLAs are currently only available for 24h and 48h forecasts. Contact us for further details.