Short-Term Load Forecasting with Neural Network Ensembles: A Comparative Study

Load Forecasting plays a critical role in the management, scheduling and dispatching operations in power systems, and it concerns the prediction of energy demand in different time spans. In future electric grids, to achieve a greater control and flexibility than in actual electric grids, a reliable forecasting of load demand could help to avoid dispatch problems given by unexpected loads, and give vital information to make decisions on energy generation and purchase, especially market-based dynamic pricing strategies. Furthermore, accurate prediction would have a significant impact on operation management, e.g. preventing overloading and allowing an efficient energy storage. © 2011 IEEE.