Factoring Climate Resilience Into the Design of Clean Power Infrastructures

Date and time

Tuesday, 08 June 2021
16:00-17:15 CEST

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Background

The challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the catastrophic cold snap seen in Texas in February 2021, highlighted the need to ensure the built-in resilience of future energy systems and cope with a broader range of external shocks, including more variable and extreme weather patterns expected from climate change.

Recent scientific evidence suggests that global weather conditions are changing gradually but also that more sudden and extreme weather occurrences are to be expected in the future, threatening the entire energy infrastructure and the reliability of energy services. The electricity sector, which will act as a catalyst for an economy-wide transition to carbon neutral societies, is first in line. Power and grid operators are thus increasingly factoring in changing weather conditions and are investing in adaptation measures in anticipation of their exposure to future climate risks.

The speakers will address the following topics in their respective interventions:

• What are the global and regional climate patterns likely to affect power infrastructures?
• Are power infrastructures ready to withstand current and future extreme weather events?
• How is nuclear power contributing to the resilience of electricity systems?
• What are the regulatory and physical responses to climate risks faced by power operators?
• Which analytical tools can be mobilized to better anticipate future climate risks at the system and plant levels?
• Are adaptation measures economical, i.e. worth the investments?

Run of show

16:00-16:10:     Introduction

• Dr. Henri Paillere (Head, Planning and Economic Studies Section, IAEA
  
  Opening remarks
   
• Dr. Bertrand Magné (Economist, Planning and Economic Studies Section, IAEA)
  
  Factoring the changing natural environment into clean energy investments decisions

16:10-17:05:     Presentation (13-15 minutes each)

• Mrs. Roberta Boscolo (Climate & Energy Scientific Officer, Applied Climate Services Division, World Meteorological Organization)
  
  Climate Science basis for resilience and decision-making
   
• Mr. Craig Hart (Energy Analyst, System Integration of Renewables Unit, International Energy Agency)
  
  The growing need for climate resilient electricity systems
   
• Dr. Delavane Diaz (Principal Project Manager, Energy Systems & Climate Analysis, Electric Power Research Institute)
  
  Integrated climate resilience for a decarbonized future
   
• Dr. Thomas Unger (Senior consultant and researcher, Profu)
  
  Impacts of climate change on nuclear power – Results from a Nordic study

17:05-17:15:     Q&A

Moderator

Bertrand Magné