Load Forecasting

Load forecast plays a crucial role in all aspects of planning, operation and control of an electric power system. It is an essential function for operating a power network reliably and economically. Load forecast can be classified as short term load forecast (STLF), midterm load forecast (MTLF), and long‐term load forecast (LTLF). Forecasting methodologies can be classified on the method used. In a more definitive way, they can be categorized as deterministic or probabilistic. Spatial load forecasting is based on three aspects as main requirements: how well the forecast supports the planning process, where will the future load develop, and when will the expected load growth occur. The three aspects are explained to indicate their effect on estimating the load forecast and consequently on the planning process. Spatial electric load forecasting methods can be grouped into three categories: nonanalytic, trending and simulation.