Projects per year
Abstract
Extreme weather forms a major threat to electricity
distribution networks and has caused many severe power
outages in the past. A reliable electrical grid is
something most of us take for granted, but storms, heavy
snowfall and other effects of extreme weather continue to
cause disruptions in electricity supply. This paper
contributes to ensuring the continuity of electricity
supply under adverse weather events. The aim is to
describe and to analyze how the continuity of electricity
supply can be ensured in the case of extreme weather.
Based on the research, the energy sector is highly
dependent on the existing locations and structures of the
current infrastructure. Aging infrastructure is commonly
seen as a main vulnerability factor. The most vulnerable
parts of the electricity distribution system to extreme
weather conditions are the networks built as overhead
lines. However, the resilience of the networks against
extreme weather can be increased significantly in all
phases of a disaster management cycle. Methods and
technological solutions proposed in this paper to
alleviate such problems include adjacent forest
management and periodic aerial inspections, situational
awareness, distributed generation and microgrids,
placement of overhead lines, underground cabling and
unmanned air vehicles. However, it must be noticed that
the methods and their value for stakeholders are
context-dependent. Thus, their applicability and
appropriateness may change over time.
Original language | English |
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Article number | RISK-16-1133 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | ASCE-ASME Journal of Risk and Uncertainty in Engineering Systems, Part B: Mechanical Engineering |
Volume | 3 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jun 2017 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- electricity distribution
- risk
- resilience
- disasters
- inspection
- cycles
- distributed power generation
- power grids
- microgrids
- storms
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Projects
- 1 Finished
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INTACT: On the Impact of Extreme Weather on Critical Infrastructures
Mäki, K., Molarius, R., Forssen, K. & Räikkönen, M.
1/05/14 → 30/04/17
Project: EU project