Strengthening the Grid: Proactive Transmission Resiliency Strategies in an Era of Intensifying Storms and Climate Change

Abstract

The world is changing, and so are the damages and loss of life and property from more frequent extreme weather events. Climate change is causing a steady increase in the intensity and frequency of severe storms, wildfires, and other natural disasters. Recent studies have shown an increase in electrical outage events correlated to extreme weather events from 50 per year on average in the early 2000s to over 100 annually on average during the past five years.1 These events cause substantial economic losses through infrastructure damage, manufacturing and labor disruptions, and property value losses.