Potential impacts of climate change on electric utilities: Final report
This report describes an analysis of the potential impacts of greenhouse-gas-induced climate on electric utility planning and operations. A case study approach was used; utility systems in the Southeastern US and New York State were analyzed over the period 1986 to 2015. Principal tasks were: (1) the development of alternate climate change (i.e. temperature change) scenarios reflecting the diversity in current general circulation model (GCM) outputs, (2) estimation of the temperature-sensitivity of electricity demand and supply, and (3) comparison of utility investment and operating decisions subject to the alternate climate change scenarios. The findings indicate that climate change could lead to: (1) increased electric generating capacity requirements, (2) increased generation of electricity, (3) decreased availability of hydroelectric generation resources, and (4) increased annual electricity production costs. Utility planners should start now to consider climate change as a factor affecting their planning analyses and decisions. Large impacts are not imminent, but the importance of climate change is likely to increase over time. Climate change is likely to increase the uncertainties utility planners must address. Correctly anticipating climate change and planning for it can reduce its impacts on future utility investment and operating costs. 24 figs., 48 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (USA); ICF, Inc., Fairfax, VA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6426285
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-EN-6249; ON: TI89008467
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
296000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Electric Power
500100 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CLIMATES
COST
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
PLANNING
POWER GENERATION
PROGRESS REPORT
PUBLIC UTILITIES
SUPPLY AND DEMAND