A mixed approach to forecasting peak system load

Abstract Realizing that Box-Jenkins time series analysis lacks any basis in economic theory but at the same time wanting to take advantage of the excellent forecasting accuracy of the approach, in the first part of this paper the author takes the basic Box-Jenkins structure and integrates it into an econometric system. Relating Box-Jenkins parameters to economic and weather variables allows these parameters to be forecast. The forecast parameters can in turn be used in a Box-Jenkins model to provide a forecast of the series of interest. The result, for a specific example, proves to be clearly superior to a pure Box-Jenkins model. An alternative approach is suggested whereby an econometric model is estimated, the residual errors analyzed and forecast using a Box-Jenkins time series model, and then the results of both these models combined. The result, for the same example, proved to be an improvement over a simple Box-Jenkins model or the econometric model. When the two hybrid models are compared, the first model is the best, judged on forecasting accuracy. An important feature to consider when using the approaches, however, is the ease of use. On this basis, the alternative approach is best.