Extreme weather forms a major threat to electricity distribution networks and has caused many severe power outages in the past. A reliable electrical grid is something most of us take for granted, but storms, heavy snowfall, and other effects of extreme weather continue to cause disruptions in electricity supply. This paper contributes to ensuring the continuity of electricity supply under adverse weather events. The aim is to describe and to analyze how the continuity of electricity supply can be ensured in the case of extreme weather. Based on the research, the energy sector is highly dependent on the existing locations and structures of the current infrastructure. Aging infrastructure is commonly seen as a main vulnerability factor. The most vulnerable parts of the electricity distribution system to extreme weather conditions are the networks built as overhead lines. However, the resilience of the networks against extreme weather can be increased significantly in all phases of a disaster management cycle. Methods and technological solutions proposed in this paper to alleviate such problems include adjacent forest management and periodic aerial inspections, situational awareness, distributed generation and microgrids, placement of overhead lines, underground cabling, and unmanned air vehicles. However, it must be noticed that the methods and their value for stakeholders are context-dependent. Thus, their applicability and appropriateness may change over time.
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June 2017
Research-Article
Resilience of Electricity Distribution Networks Against Extreme Weather Conditions
Kim Forssén,
Kim Forssén
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland,
P. O. Box 1000,
Espoo FI-02044, Finland
e-mail: kim.forssen@vtt.fi
P. O. Box 1000,
Espoo FI-02044, Finland
e-mail: kim.forssen@vtt.fi
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Kari Mäki,
Kari Mäki
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland,
P. O. Box 1300,
Tampere FI-33101, Finland
e-mail: kari.maki@vtt.fi
P. O. Box 1300,
Tampere FI-33101, Finland
e-mail: kari.maki@vtt.fi
Search for other works by this author on:
Minna Räikkönen,
Minna Räikkönen
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland,
P. O. Box 1300,
Tampere FI-33101, Finland
e-mail: minna.raikkonen@vtt.fi
P. O. Box 1300,
Tampere FI-33101, Finland
e-mail: minna.raikkonen@vtt.fi
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Riitta Molarius
Riitta Molarius
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland,
P. O. Box 1300,
Tampere FI-33101, Finland
e-mail: riitta.molarius@vtt.fi
P. O. Box 1300,
Tampere FI-33101, Finland
e-mail: riitta.molarius@vtt.fi
Search for other works by this author on:
Kim Forssén
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland,
P. O. Box 1000,
Espoo FI-02044, Finland
e-mail: kim.forssen@vtt.fi
P. O. Box 1000,
Espoo FI-02044, Finland
e-mail: kim.forssen@vtt.fi
Kari Mäki
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland,
P. O. Box 1300,
Tampere FI-33101, Finland
e-mail: kari.maki@vtt.fi
P. O. Box 1300,
Tampere FI-33101, Finland
e-mail: kari.maki@vtt.fi
Minna Räikkönen
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland,
P. O. Box 1300,
Tampere FI-33101, Finland
e-mail: minna.raikkonen@vtt.fi
P. O. Box 1300,
Tampere FI-33101, Finland
e-mail: minna.raikkonen@vtt.fi
Riitta Molarius
VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland,
P. O. Box 1300,
Tampere FI-33101, Finland
e-mail: riitta.molarius@vtt.fi
P. O. Box 1300,
Tampere FI-33101, Finland
e-mail: riitta.molarius@vtt.fi
Manuscript received October 10, 2016; final manuscript received January 19, 2017; published online March 17, 2017. Assoc. Editor: Konstantin Zuev.
ASME J. Risk Uncertainty Part B. Jun 2017, 3(2): 021005 (9 pages)
Published Online: March 17, 2017
Article history
Received:
October 10, 2016
Revised:
January 19, 2017
Citation
Forssén, K., Mäki, K., Räikkönen, M., and Molarius, R. (March 17, 2017). "Resilience of Electricity Distribution Networks Against Extreme Weather Conditions." ASME. ASME J. Risk Uncertainty Part B. June 2017; 3(2): 021005. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4035843
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