The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has posted a blog announcing a new paper from its researchers that finds that energy droughts, or periods of time where solar and wind power can’t be supplied to the power grid, could last up to a week in certain parts of the United States. This conclusion is based on past weather data being applied to the current electrical grid, comparing how renewable energy sources would have performed under those conditions.

Energy droughts vary widely across the country. The Northwest, the Pacific Northwest, and Texas usually experience hours-long energy droughts while California, Colorado, Kansas, and Utah are more likely to experience days-long energy droughts. Overall, researchers found the longest potential compound energy drought on an hourly timescale was 37 hours (in Texas), while the longest energy drought on a daily timescale was six days (in California).

The researchers emphasize the importance of operators collecting and understanding this data to run the grid more efficiently as the nation continues its move to renewable energy sources. Furthermore, the variability of renewable energy has knock-on effects for critical infrastructure sectors that depend on electricity, as emphasized in prior WaterISAC reporting on utility preparedness. Members should consider working with their energy providers to determine how much of their power is provided by renewable sources and understand what times of year in their region are most at risk of energy droughts. Read more at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.