Expert meteorologists, vital drivers for energy trading
Weather is a key influence in the energy industry globally, and, having an insight on this can drive more than just the market. This means that Shell Energy Europe’s meteorologist desk plays a crucial role in creating tailor-made solutions for our customers.
Emma Boorman is one of the expert meteorologists from our inhouse team. Emma has always been passionate about the weather; as a child, she would watch snowfall updates on television for hours, even before she decided to pursue a professional career as a meteorologist.
On a daily basis, Emma begins her day when the traders arrive so that she can develop the weather story and communicate the latest before the action begins. She then monitors and updates the forecast throughout the day as-and-when it is required, and she spends the rest of her time researching new developments within meteorology and energy forecasting.
Why does weather forecast matter for a trading company like Shell Energy Europe?
Analysis of meteorological information is crucial for the well-functioning of Shell Energy Europe’s trading desks. Accurate and up-to-date weather forecasts allow our traders and deal structurers to provide our customers and counterparties with better solutions.
Shell Energy Europe is growing its renewables footprint. What is the impact of weather forecast on renewables?
Renewables are intrinsically linked to how the weather is performing. For example, will it be windy, calm, sunny or cloudy? This is where we come in and can add value on top of just a computer tool. You need the sun to be out for solar, the wind to be blowing for wind power and knowing when these sources will and will not be available is extremely important. For example, I am able to add value when forecasting across not only Europe but specific countries too. Accurate forecasting of the wind and solar conditions allows traders and counterparties to utilise the available generation on a daily basis. Therefore, meteorology is going to be more and more important in the energy business as more renewables are added to the energy mix.
How is digitalization impacting your role?
Digitalisation is definitely enhancing my role. We have an incredible amount of data at our disposal that we can analyse, and the digital movement within Shell Energy Europe and the wider industry allows me to analyse that data more readily and draw more informed conclusions from it.
More about Emma
Why did you choose Shell Energy Europe?
I’ve worked in meteorology for a number of years, during which I have been lucky enough to have multiple placements that have provided me with some great challenges, including forecasting for the BBC Weather Centre and the British Military. However, I was after a new challenge that would really stretch me beyond anything I had experienced before. A trading environment is challenging which is something that I enjoy dealing with on a daily business whilst I develop myself to become more resilient.
Shell Energy Europe is an exciting place to work as it provides me with a fast-paced environment that allows me to thrive in a demanding role, whilst also seeing a lot of new innovation in this space.
Do you always look through the window when you wake up to see the sky?
It’s an early alarm clock so I don’t always look through the window first thing but, if it has snowed, I literally sprint to the window!
Overall though, never underestimate the power of being able look up at the sky and forecast from that! The sky will give away many clues as to what is going to be happening over the next couple of hours.
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About Shell Energy Europe
Shell Energy Europe is one of the major energy supply businesses and a leading marketer and trader of energy commodities, including gas, power and environmental products. Shell Energy Europe’s Trading office is in London.
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With its scale and expertise, Shell Energy Europe can trade all energy commodities in most European markets.