NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, has entered a new agreement with the Virginia Department of Energy to improve the state’s energy security. The partnership, formalized through a Space Act Agreement announced on Friday, aims to support informed decisions regarding energy generation, delivery, and usage.
The collaboration leverages NASA’s expertise in atmospheric sciences to assist Virginia Energy in conducting resiliency studies and long-term energy planning. By providing access to solar, meteorological, and future weather risk datasets, the agreement helps state officials model and plan for current and potential extreme weather conditions.
Using NASA Data for Grid Resilience
Virginia Energy Director Vince Maiden emphasized the importance of accurate modeling in energy planning. He stated that sound energy planning depends on models that reflect real-world conditions. The collaboration will help the state better understand how weather affects electricity supply and demand, identify vulnerabilities, and weigh resource tradeoffs with greater confidence.
The partnership will integrate relevant NASA Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) data products into Virginia Energy’s modeling and analysis system. This information supports the design of energy generation systems and the prediction of energy production using validated data from NASA’s Earth Science to Action program.
These key NASA products represent research and development across multiple centers, including Langley, the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and the Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley.
Streamlining Data Access for Planners
A digital pipeline has been established to allow Virginia Energy to connect directly to Langley’s POWER web platform. This connection enables state researchers to download specific datasets and incorporate them directly into their modeling tools. NASA’s POWER team members will work alongside Virginia Energy researchers to streamline the exchange of information, adjust data formats, and evaluate the need for additional datasets.
Allen Kilgore, Deputy Director of NASA Langley, highlighted the practical application of this scientific data. He noted that the agency relishes the opportunity to put unique science data into the hands of those who want to improve people’s lives. He added that this collaboration with Virginia Energy will benefit citizens and provide stronger energy security for the Commonwealth.
The initiative was fostered through NASA Langley’s Strategic Partnerships Office. This office connects industry, academia, and other government agencies with center facilities, capabilities, specialized test environments, and technical expertise. The goal is to bring ideas to life by leveraging these resources for mutual benefit.
By helping Virginians better anticipate energy demands and prepare for extreme weather, the partnership supports a more reliable and resilient energy system. The data can be directly incorporated into energy policy, planning, and operational decisions to mitigate the impact of weather-related stress on the grid.
Source: NASA
