Advertise on podcast: Let's Talk About the Weather

with Matthew Berwind, Scientist at Fraunhofer ISE The combination of agriculture and solar energy elements ranks among my favourite PV applications. Thus, going to Agrivoltaics World Conference was a no-brainer for me. Luckily, I could convince the excellent Matthew Berwind to join me for this episode of OTT CAST. Agrivoltaics, or Agri-PV includes a wide range of concepts. Whether it's sheep between module rows or valuable fruit crop protected by overhead installations; the potential of leveraging mutual benefits is enormous. In this episode, Matthew gives an introduction to Agrivoltaics, and he mentions some challenges that he and his peers are currently doing research on. Don't miss this one! ===== CONTACT https://get.otthydrometinsights.com/podcast-contact-us/

What does it take to install five weather stations on one of the highest mountains in the world—and why does it matter? In this full-length feature, follow Expedition Lead Baker Perry and his team from base camp to summit as they battle altitude, weather, and terrain to bring climate science to new heights. Discover how this network of sensors is transforming our understanding of water, weather, and resilience—not just in the Andes, but across the globe. ===== CONTACT https://get.otthydrometinsights.com/podcast-contact-us/

with Craig Plaatjes, Global Product Manager at OTT HydroMet It's that time of the year - Intersolar is opening its gates and people from all over the world gather in Munich to present and explore the latest developments, trends, and build networks within the solar energy industry. Before packing their bags for Europe's biggest PV event, our host Martin Maly, Sales Manager for Central & Eastern Europe, sat down with Craig Plaatjes, Global Product Manager, to look at some recent market reports and how they stand against the real development. Craig's summary after checking various sources that cover the next five years: While some regions are expecting a slower growth (compare episode 28 with Market Analyst Cormac Gilligan), the world's appetite for renewable energy remains unsatisfied. It's pushed additionally by the realization of hybrid applications including dual land-use, other energy sources and/or storage. For more information, stop by our booth at B3.374 in Messe Munich. The event takes place from May 7-9. Craig and Martin are happy to welcome you there and show you around the premium suite of meteorological instruments from Kipp & Zonen and Lufft. ===== CONTACT https://get.otthydrometinsights.com/podcast-contact-us/

With Cormac Gilligan, Director Cleantech at S&P Global Commodity Insights Renewable energy sources are on the rise, in recent years mainly thanks to photovoltaics. But various challenges are about to slow down its dynamic growth: Grid challenges, unsolved storage issues, land availability - to only name a few. At this year's Solarplaza Asset Management conference in Prague, Cormac Gilligan confronted the European solar PV industry with a tough truth: There will be a dip in growth within the next years. So is the European solar party over already?  Definitely not, according to Cormac Gilligan, but different regions will develop with varying speed. In this episode, we take a look at recent trends, market challenges, and global and regional developments. Tune in and learn about:  Market outlook for EuropeFrom Ireland to the Balkans: Global and regional challengesCormac's top picks for solar investments in Europe and globally===== CONTACT https://get.otthydrometinsights.com/podcast-contact-us/

With Matteo Baricchio, Hesan Ziar (both Researchers at TU Delft), and Marc Korevaar, Scientist at OTT HydroMet PV modules generate the largest amount of electricity when directly exposed to the sun. In theory, using two-axis trackers would maximize the yield. For obvious economic reasons, a fixed installation towards the south is the more popular setup. But it is not the power output alone, that counts in the end, as power prices differ a lot throughout the day. They are low at noon, when there is plenty of energy available and higher in the morning and evening hours. So what is the best setup from an economic perspective?  That is the question investigated by Matteo Baricchio and Hesan Ziar, two young researchers at the Technical University of Delft. In this episode of OTT CAST, we elaborate on their exciting research work, that compares East/West (E/W) vertical bifacial photovoltaic (PV) modules with conventional North/South (N/S) tilted configuration depending on the design choices and external conditions. We are joined by Marc Korevaar, our experienced Scientist at OTT HydroMet, who supported the researchers during their complex simulations with real measurement data. Tune in and learn about:  Potential of bifacial modules for East/West vertical installationsDistinguishing performance from profitabilityMulti-use PV applications in combination with wind energy and hydropowerOur appreciation and thanks go out to our guests: Hesan Ziar works as an assistant professor in the Electrical Sustainable Energy department of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science, at Delft University of Technology. Matteo Baricchio is a PhD Candidate at the Delft Center for Systems and Control, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, at Delft University of Technology. Further reading Research paper: Modelling of bifacial photovoltaic farms to evaluate the profitability of East/West vertical configuration ===== CONTACT https://get.otthydrometinsights.com/podcast-contact-us/

With Craig Plaatjes, Global Product Manager at OTT HydroMet Intersolar has been huge this year. 18 halls filled with new PV panels, battery systems, inverters, mounting equipment, cleaning robots, software solutions, and more, underscore the industry’s dynamics and hunger for innovation In this episode of OTT CAST, we summarize our learnings and observations from the recent edition. Craig Plaatjes, Global Product Manager, and our host Martin Maly, Sales Manager Eastern Europe, were part of the team that represented OTT HydroMet with its brands Kipp & Zonen and Lufft at Intersolar 2024. Shortly before leaving Munich, they met at the hotel lobby to exchange thoughts and impressions. Please apologize for the occasional background noise. Tune in and learn about:  Intersolar 2024: The biggest solar show in EuropeHot topic: Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and green hydrogenStandards: How to make your PV plant compliant with IEC 61724-1Further reading Whitepaper: Solar Energy International Standards ===== CONTACT https://get.otthydrometinsights.com/podcast-contact-us/

With Sajad Badalkhani, Service & Technical Support Manager at OTT HydroMet Food for geeks! Most measurement instruments are either analog or smart. This applies to our Kipp & Zonen portfolio for solar irradiance monitoring, too. But which one to choose for which application? In this episode of OTT CAST, we welcome Sajad Badalkhani, an experienced technical expert for solar monitoring instruments. We discuss the technical differences between analog and smart sensors and who they are designed for. Sajad explains the concept of the Modbus protocol and introduces the SMP12, an ISO 9060:2018 Class A pyranometer with integrated heating and built-in sensors for remote monitoring of humidity and tilt angle. Tune in and learn about:  Pros and cons of analog and smart sensorsIntroducing the Modbus protocol Next level monitoring with the new Kipp & Zonen SMP12===== CONTACT https://get.otthydrometinsights.com/podcast-contact-us/

With Maarten van Pel and Renske Cox, Ambassadors for Sustainable Travelling at 4x4electric.com Special Holidays Episode! This Dutch couple has seen quite a big part of the world. Maarten van Pel and Renske Cox always have been passionate travelers. But one day, they decided to stop flying. This decision gave birth to a spectacular idea and their biggest adventure yet: Driving from the Netherlands to Cape Town and back – powered mainly by solar energy. In this episode of OTT CAST, we welcome two dedicated ambassadors for sustainable traveling. Maarten and Renske talk about their 13-months trip with more than 38.000 kilometers driven in a Skoda Enyaq, a battery electric vehicle (BEV). Thanks to PV panels on the rooftop and in the trunk of their car, they were able to generate more than half of the needed energy form the sun. Tune in and learn about:  Impressions from Africa, a beautiful continent full of contrasts How and where to charge a BEV with solar panels Effective use of Kipp & Zonen CMP3 pyranometer to optimize charging performance===== CONTACT https://get.otthydrometinsights.com/podcast-contact-us/

With Dr. Stephan Treuke, Coordinator River Basin Management at Emschergenossenschaft The river Emscher in Western Germany has a turbulent history. Within one century, it turned from a leisurely meandering stream to Europe’s dirtiest river and, most recently, to a restored recreation area. In this episode of OTT CAST, we discuss the history and the challenges of the double transformation that the Emscher went through. Our guest is Dr. Stephan Treuke of the Emschergenossenschaft, the organization  responsible for the river basin management.  He sees big restoration projects not as isolated hydrological problems but as cross-discipline opportunities to develop and improve the infrastructure of a whole region. Tune in and learn about:  The history of a river confined to a concrete channel and released againChallenges and potentials of river basin management for regional developmentWhat industrial regions around the world can learn from the Emscher restoration Further reading Homepage: English website of the Emschergenossenschaft ===== CONTACT https://get.otthydrometinsights.com/podcast-contact-us/

With Dawid Brudny, Vice President at APM PRO In a coalescing world, safe and efficient transportation of people and goods becomes increasingly important. Thus, it comes with little surprise that weather monitoring for roads, railways, and air traffic rank among the most innovative applications across meteorology. The company APM PRO is a successful innovator of the Polish and Eastern European road industry. Recently, APM PRO has developed Control Pro Ice, an automated de-icing system that ensures safe traffic at tunnel entrances. Thanks to specialized meteorological and pavement condition sensors, the system detects any slippery conditions and automatically triggers a sprinkler system to cover the affected sections of road with de-icing agent. For this episode of OTT CAST, we’ve visited Dawid Brudny, Vice President at APM PRO, to talk about this project, the importance of on-site meteorological measurements, and other innovations in the road weather industry. Tune in and learn about:  The automated de-icing system Control Pro IceWhy tunnel entrances have their own micro-climateThe importance of meteorological measurements for safe traffic===== CONTACT https://get.otthydrometinsights.com/podcast-contact-us/

With Marc Korevaar, Scientist, and Sajad Badalkhani, Technical Support & Services, both OTT HydroMet Dirty PV modules generate less energy than clean ones. This phenomenon called “soiling” sums up to losses of several billion dollars every year. Cleaning increases efficiency, but comes at a cost, too. So, finding the right cleaning schedule and method is key to a higher profitability. In this episode of OTT CAST, we discuss the different sources of soiling and how it is impacting solar energy generation. Marc Korevaar, scientist, and Sajad Badalkhani, Technical Support & Services Manager, present solutions to measure the degree and take actions based on solid data. Tune in and learn about:  Impact of soiling on solar energy generation, leading to losses of several billions of dollars every yearDifferent kinds of soiling, from sand to dust to leaves to pollen and bird droppingsThe measurement principle of the Kipp & Zonen soiling monitoring system DustIQFurther reading OTT HydroMet Blog: Firmware Update Improves Response and Handling of DustIQPV Magazine: Soiling – a multi-billion dollar issue===== CONTACT https://get.otthydrometinsights.com/podcast-contact-us/

With Daryl Ritchison, Director of the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network (NDAWN) In Episode 20 of OTT Cast, we welcome Daryl Ritchison to share his expertise on mesoscale monitoring.  With over 30 years of experience in the field of Meteorology in both forecasting and environmental monitoring, Daryl Ritchison is often consulted for his expertise in the field. As the leader of the pioneering North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network (NDAWN) National Mesonet Program, Daryl provides insight into the development of the Mesonet Program and how increasing spatial resolution of monitoring networks can support a variety of stakeholders and provide a significant return on investment for a community. Tune in to join our new host Julie Dauer and learn about:  The intricate relationship between precipitation, snow water equivalent (SWE), and soil moisture, and how these factors impact critical aspects of our lives such as flooding and crop yield.The National Mesonet Program: how the NWS leverages the data and the program’s ability to cultivate a synergetic community dynamic How the OTT Pluvio² has vastly improved the accuracy of his network by providing comprehensive data on all types of precipitation===== CONTACT https://get.otthydrometinsights.com/podcast-contact-us/

With Victor Cassella and Sasha Ivans, Meteorologists at OTT HydroMet As a developer and manufacturer of hydrological and meteorological monitoring solutions, at OTT HydroMet we know a thing or two about collecting and evaluating atmospheric data. That’s why Victor Cassella and Sasha Ivans, two of our experienced meteorologists at OTT HydroMet, strongly supported this year’s AMS Annual Meeting’s incorporated statement: “Full, open, and timely access to data is critical to the advancement of atmospheric and related sciences”. But where does this data come from? Even the smartest algorithms need real data to evaluate and turn into forecasts or analyses. Victor and Sasha talk about various industries and scientific disciplines and how their expectations and requirements are changing facing climate change. Tune in and learn about:  Different regions are differently impacted by climate change – exemplified by the contrast between the west and the east of the USAIndustries and applications affected by climate change, ranging from traditional weather observation to agriculture to renewable energy productionTailored weather monitoring stations for every application===== CONTACT https://get.otthydrometinsights.com/podcast-contact-us/

With Jay Wilson, Director for Business Development & Sustainability at OTT HydroMet The World Meteorological Organization has launched an ambitious initiative: Within 5 years, every person on this planet must be protected by early warning systems. While the mission sounds clear and it is backed by the United Nations, the path to achieving it is challenging. In this episode, Jay Wilson explains the differences between monitoring networks in various regions of the world and the consequences of data gaps in developing countries. Jay has gained valuable experience in her time working for the WMO, on many international trips, and in countless discussions with weather professionals around the world as the Director for Business Development & Sustainability at OTT HydroMet. Jay has a lot to tell – tune in and learn about:  The observation gap and its impact on societies in developing countriesEWS4ALL – the WMO’s initiative to create early warning systems for all within 5 yearsHow to sustainably invest in environmental monitoring systemsFURTHER LISTENING Climate change is impacting the way we monitor and analyze environmental processes. The need for both meteorological and hydrological data is growing. Learn more in episode 10 of our podcast.  ===== CONTACT https://get.otthydrometinsights.com/podcast-contact-us/

With Laura Goodfellow and Frank Zokoll, Transportation Weather Monitoring Experts Railway traffic is the backbone of both business and individual transport. Keeping the flow safe and on time is a challenge, especially due to the fact that railways are prone to inclement weather. Strong winds, snowfall, floods, heat, freezing switches, and platforms … rail network operators have a lot to consider to ensure safe train traffic. Many of these meteorological phenomena occur in unique areas, thus knowledge of hyper-local conditions along the rails can be extremely helpful. Key to knowing the actual situation along the rails are reliable, low-maintenance, and densely spread weather monitoring stations. The Lufft WS series of modular, compact weather sensors offers a robust and versatile basis for a broad range of monitoring applications. In this episode of our podcast, we discuss ways to keep the flow safe and on time even under adverse atmospheric conditions. Tune in and learn about:  Essential atmospheric parameters for rail traffic weather monitoringVarious monitoring applications Powerful combinations of compact weather stations and additional sensors, such as snow height sensors or rail temperature probes ===== CONTACT Contact us: https://get.otthydrometinsights.com/podcast-contact-us/  ===== FURTHER READING Weather monitoring plays a key role to ensure safe and timely rail transport. Download the brochure on Rail Weather Monitoring: https://info.otthydromet.com/weather-monitoring-railway.html ===== CONTACT https://get.otthydrometinsights.com/podcast-contact-us/