Abstract
This article examines practical measures for integrating risk assessment of extreme weather events into spatial planning. An approach that integrates risks due to ice storms into spatial suitability analysis is presented in two case studies: in siting transmission and distribution power lines, and in siting windfarms. Assessment of risks to the power grid due to ice storms is carried out first. The results of the risk assessment are then used as a basis for analysing proposed alternatives for siting high-voltage power lines and as input in analysing the suitability of space for siting windfarms. The results of a cost-benefit analysis of various alternatives for siting windfarms (an alternative that takes risks due to ice storms into account and one that does not) show that the damage caused by extreme weather events has a significant impact on the economic viability of a plan. There are two options for integrating risk assessment results into planning electric energy infrastructure: by updating engineering standards and by avoiding areas where greater damage to infrastructure due to extreme weather events is expected. Risk assessment provides important information that can affect decisions about land use and decisions about technical measures for enhancing the physical resilience of infrastructure.
Highlights
Gradual climate change with rising mean temperatures and changed precipitation patterns is expected to impact electricity supply and demand as well as its price, accessibility and transmission or distribution (Feeley et al, 2008; Wilbanks et al, 2008; Kopytko & Perkins, 2011; Rübbelke & Vögele, 2011; McColl et al, 2012; Schaeffer et al, 2012)
Energy infrastructure has a long lifespan and decisions about its location and technical implementation made will have long-term consequences. This is why gradual climate change and Extreme weather events (EWE) should be taken into account in the planning process, which demands an analysis of various adjustments and adaptation measures (Auld et al, 2006; Wilbanks et al, 2008; Rübbelke & Vögele, 2011; Schaeffer et al, 2012; International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 2013)
The standard divides Slovenia into three zones based on the burden that should be considered in designing power lines
Summary
Gradual climate change with rising mean temperatures and changed precipitation patterns is expected to impact electricity supply and demand as well as its price, accessibility and transmission or distribution (Feeley et al, 2008; Wilbanks et al, 2008; Kopytko & Perkins, 2011; Rübbelke & Vögele, 2011; McColl et al, 2012; Schaeffer et al, 2012). Energy infrastructure has a long lifespan and decisions about its location and technical implementation made will have long-term consequences This is why gradual climate change and EWE should be taken into account in the planning process, which demands an analysis of various adjustments and adaptation measures (Auld et al, 2006; Wilbanks et al, 2008; Rübbelke & Vögele, 2011; Schaeffer et al, 2012; IAEA, 2013). The Proposal for Guidelines for Preparing the Energy Concept (Sln. Predlog usmeritev za pripravo Energetskega koncepta, Ministry of Infrastructure of the Republic of Slovenia, 2015) lists a reliable energy supply among the goals for a sustainable energy sector. The resilience of infrastructure to EWE is not explicitly mentioned
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