New report showcases the evolution of utility resilience planning

AI generated summary

A new report by the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) and Rhizome, titled Resilient by Design: Utility Strategies for Climate-Ready Distribution Systems, explores the evolving landscape of utility resilience planning in response to increasing threats from extreme weather, cyberattacks, and physical security risks. The report emphasizes the importance of robust distribution system planning (DSP) processes, showcasing insights from 17 utility resilience planning filings across the U.S. It highlights the financial stakes involved, noting that extreme weather events cost the U.S. economy approximately $64.8 billion annually in storm-related outages, and outlines how utilities must prepare for major event days (MEDs) while ensuring rapid recovery strategies are in place.

The report categorizes utility resilience planning into three components, focusing on both internal processes and community engagement. It underscores the necessity for utilities to adapt their resilience definitions and strategies based on geographic and organizational contexts. With state mandates increasingly requiring utilities to file resilience plans, the report provides actionable insights for utilities like Con Edison and Tampa Electric, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to resilience that integrates risk exposure understanding and innovative technologies. Ultimately, the report advocates for resilience to be treated as a core function of DSP, fostering continuous improvement and adaptation in the face of evolving challenges.