Olivia Sault, COI Energy, olivia@coiempowerment.com
As our climate changes around the globe, extreme heat waves are already occurring and are expected to increase in both frequency and severity throughout the United States. While global heat intensifies, record-high temperatures are surpassing record-low temperatures, putting severe stress on our electric grid.1
When the frequency of a heat wave increases, the demand for energy increases, ultimately interfering with supply. These surges in energy demands are currently overloading the electric grid and exacerbating outage frequency by reducing the efficiency of power plants, causing equipment to overheat, and making the metal in power lines expand and sag.2 Conclusively, there will be an abundance of blackouts this summer and in the years following if there is no action taken to improve our grid.
Though Unfortunately, companies and power grid operators are not considering climate change and the climate crisis in their design for a more reliable grid.3 Majority of these operators use research from historical climate patterns to predict the future, but with climate change, historical weather patterns lack reliability in coming years. Therefore, the reluctance of companies to consider renewable energy investments and help the industry reach net-zero energy goals further contributes to the climate crisis.
With willingness and various adaptation methods, utilities can improve resilience. Beyond the expensive approach to hardening the grid, non-wire alternatives generate resilience and adaptability. Establishing environmental management equips utilities and other infrastructure owners with protection against extreme weather. Additionally, integrating a larger amount of renewable energy into the mix will help cope with peak demands.4
As utility battles with record energy demands, customers are being asked to conserve power amidst the acute heat waves. Specifically, in Texas, where record-high temperatures surge through the summer, the state has seen peak demand for energy, resulting in significant strain to the grid.
1 https://medialibrary.climatecentral.org/extreme-weather-toolkits/extreme-heat
3 https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/31/us/power-outages-electric-grid-climate-change/index.html
The spotlight shines on Texas during the heatwave in part due to the state’s unilateral electrical power grid operation. “The United States electric grid is separated into three regions: Two make up the Eastern Interconnection and the Western Interconnection, and their grids power both sides of the lower 48 states.”5 The third region of the grid is an electrical island that supplies the power to Texas, called The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). EROCT operates the majority of states’ grid and manages the flow of Texas’ power supply without any contingency on the rest of the country.6 The adversities faced by Texans due to extreme weather conditions are largely on account of the state’s grid isolation and the lack of access to other grids serving the U.S.7
In June 2022 power demands hit a record high in Texas with the demand exceeding 75,000 megawatts, surpassing a previous record of 74,820 megawatts set in August 2019, according to ERCOT.8
At length, the heatwave is still lingering as the sweltering month of July approaches. Texas has more electrical obstacles to face, but they are not the only ones suffering. The global heat wave has taken a toll on three-quarters of the world’s population.9
A ramification of the climate crisis and ensuing extreme weather is the exacerbation of disparities being faced, particularly by those who did not actively participate in fanning the flames of climate change.
For reference, the temperature in India has increased between 8 and 15 degrees above average due to the heat wave, according to NASA’s Earth Observatory.
“Thousands of people in this region, who, to begin with, contributed very little to global warming, are now bearing the brunt of it and will continue to do so if emissions are not significantly cut globally. This is a sign of things to come,” says Arpita Mondal, co-author of the Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai.10
5 https://www.dallasnews.com/author/nataly-keomoungkhoun/
As the quote suggests, the gruel of climate change is not experienced equally by everyone. The contribution from both foreign ignorance and the disregard across the globe for the climate crisis has brought about this disproportionate impact.
Though mostly unintentional, this phenomenon is perpetuating extreme disparities in various nations across the globe. Countries like India are experiencing anthropogenically induced heat waves and lack the infrastructure, technology, and ability to cool off. Thus, as citizens of a top contributing nation, we bear the responsibility of not making matters worse, not merely in our homes, but also, overseas.
Transitioning to renewable energy technologies endeavors to mitigate climate change and meet sustainability goals. At COI Energy, we help to eliminate energy waste in buildings, consequently improving energy performance, reducing carbon emissions, and monetizing energy efficiency.
Historically, companies have been reluctant to this alternative but with COI, your organization is entitled to 100% Savings Retention, Insights and Control via our mobile app, and Custom Reports on your organization’s energy performance.11
Utilizing COI Energy’s platform, your organization will be responding and countering climate change with renewable, clean energy and clearing the path to achieve a low-carbon future.
Source: An Exigency for Climate Action for Surging Summer Heat Waves
