Effects of Climate Change in Electric Power Infrastructures

Abstract

Climate change mitigation and adaptation has been a major driving force to modernize electric power infrastructure and include more renewable energy systems. This chapter explains several ways in which electric power infrastructure has contributed to climate change, how climate change affects electric power infrastructure, mitigation options, and adaptation options. Electricity infrastructure categories include power generation technologies, transmission lines, substations, and building loads. Climate change categories include atmospheric greenhouse gas concentration levels, rising sea levels, changes in precipitation patterns and river flows, as well as more extreme air temperatures. Specific quantitative case studies are provided to estimate vulnerabilities from heat waves in the US desert southwest, including long-term forecasting of infrastructure performance, as well as, various supply-side and demand-side strategic options to maintain reliable operations.