Power outage
A large wildfire can disrupt a community's electricity system via direct physical damage or indirect public safety power cutoffs. Wildfires are a major cause of power outages in California and other western states where summers are becoming hotter and drier due to climate change. "The results will provide community leaders with ways to make their electrical system more resilient and keep critical functions online." "Our method allows stakeholders to quickly compare the levels of service possible and the cost to provide them," says Murphy. "While more solar is more expensive, it also produces more energy during normal times and is typically a good investment," says Murphy.Īs a test of their new model, the researchers developed a method for estimating the size and cost of a solar+battery system for community facilities in California. Larger solar installations can help reduce the battery costs. More batteries are needed when solar capacity is low, load is high, and outages last a long time.
Power outage driver#
The biggest driver for the cost of resilient energy is battery size, according to PSE Healthy Energy Senior Scientist Patrick Murphy.
This is the focus of a study conducted by the group Physicians, Scientists, and Engineers (PSE) for Healthy Energy. But in order to make the switch, planners need a faster, simpler way to estimate the cost of such a system (other than complicated computer programs). A solar+battery system can provide green energy during normal times and deliver needed backup power during an outage. Many organizations and communities are investing in solar backup power to keep critical systems online during grid outages. A key feature involves mapping critical lifeline services to critical infrastructure by specifying which sectors provide which services and at what level. This optimization tool uses a genetic algorithm to determine which sections of distribution lines to power via microgrids during a grid outage.
These localized energy grids can be powered by traditional or alternative energy sources-such as solar energy stored in batteries-and operate independently from the bulk power grid.Įnergy analyst Amanda Wachtel of Sandia National Laboratories will describe a tool called ReNCAT that helps planners choose the ideal locations for microgrids to ensure that critical services stay online. A microgrid can provide electricity to a subset of an urban area, such as a neighborhood. Microgrids offer a promising way for communities and organizations like hospitals and universities to keep their essential services online by generating their own electricity during an outage. Fireplaces, wood stoves, barbecues and camp stoves can be used outdoors for emergency cooking.New research on ways to make electrical systems more resilient and restore power to people and critical facilities faster will be highlighted during the 2021 Society for Risk Analysis Virtual Annual Meeting, Dec.Food in your fridge and freezer is usually safe to consume if the power is out for less than four hours.Make sure you have an adequate supply of food and water.This helps prevent structural fires and ensures smoke, carbon monoxide and other potentially harmful gases are properly vented. Stow flashlights with extra batteries.This allows you to listen to your local station for warnings, advice and instructions.Connect with your neighbours (PDF, 2.55MB)įor more information on preparing for a power outage, visit BC Hydro and FortisBC:.To locate confirmed power outages in your region, go to BC Hydro’s outage map. You may be without light, heat and hot water.
A power outage is a short or long-term loss of electric power to an area.