With the U.S. already facing record temperatures in the early summer season, extreme heat waves over the next few months will most likely add stress to the power grid and increase the chances of outages. And with power outages due to extreme weather on the rise, water and wastewater utilities are encouraged to re-assess their current preparedness efforts and work to enhance their power resilience.
The aging U.S. power grid is under increasing strain as climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves or wildfires. With this summer projected to be one of the hottest on record, there is an increased risk of power outages caused by extreme heat. A recent research report concluded that large parts of the U.S. will experience average temperatures exceeding 86 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 48 hours. And with temperatures remaining high for multiple days, transformers can fail completely, causing blackouts. Accordingly, for this summer, the North American Electric Reliability Corp. 2024 summer reliability grid assessment warned that some areas of the continent face elevated risk of energy shortfalls. Read more at the Washington Post and the New York Times.
Preparedness and Resilience Information:
To help mitigate potential disruptions from power outages, utilities are encouraged to reassess their electricity needs and take steps to enhance their operational resilience.
To start, members can review EPA’s “Power Resilience Guide,” which offers utilities information and strategies to help strengthen relationships with their electric providers and increase their resilience to power outages. EPA also has an incident action checklist for power outages and a brochure for tips on generator preparedness. Critical infrastructure organizations can also greatly enhance their power resilience and operate during outages by building a microgrid at their facility. According to a recent article in Water Online, “microgrids can be configured to use existing onsite generation such as diesel generators, but you can also reduce the cost and use of fossil-fuel generators by incorporating renewable energy alternatives.”
In addition, a few years ago, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory organized a workshop that identified barriers between sectors and created strategies for increasing coordination and integrated planning between water and electric utilities. That study can be accessed here.
Utilites can also utilize the Interruption Cost Estimate (ICE) Calculator, which helps entities estimate the economic impacts of power interruptions. Furthermore, CISA’s “Resilient Power Best Practices for Critical Facilities and Sites,” offers guidance and discusses power resilience in regards to the all-hazards threat landscape. Lastly, utilities can apply for grants, like FEMA’s BRIC program.
