When the Bough Breaks: Managing Extreme Weather Events Affecting Electrical Power Grids

Preparing for, responding to, coping with, and managing the aftermath of severe impacts on electrical power system grids due to extreme weather events resulting from climate change are all receiving growing attention. Recent severe events in North America and across the globe have stressed the ability of electrical utilities to maintain the continuity and reliability of supply, with many customers experiencing extended power outages. Hurricane Sandy, recent severe winter snow and ice storms in the northeastern United States and eastern Canada, Supercyclone Phailin in India, and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines are prime examples. This article is sponsored by members of the Climate Change Technology Subcommittee of the IEEE Power & Energy Society Energy Development and Power Generation Committee, whose chair is Tom Baumann.