Damage and Exposure Prevention of Energy Infrastructure Through Strategies in PEER: Evolving Trends for Efficiency, Reliability, and Resiliency

Abstract

Power is a basic necessity for every human being, if lost or interrupted causes a huge discomfort. Often these interruptions are caused due to external damages and exposure to the environment. In recent times, cities all over the world are facing big challenges due to climate change causing unprecedented rainfall/hurricane leading to flood. During such catastrophic events, communication networks and power supply is essential to keep oneself protected, safe and reach-out for emergency support. Apart from these extreme weather conditions, interruption in grid network is also happening due to tree contact, animal contact, accident due to vehicles or human interference and fire. All these events can cause a significant human & revenue loss if unprepared. Under this circumstances, it is critical we build resilient & reliable grid systems that help us during natural disaster, human error & threats. The damage that power interruption events caused from a practical and economic standpoint is a key concern for customers. Measuring, reporting, trending, and benchmarking these metrics will assist with identifying poor performance and provide the justification for investment to reduce sustained interruptions and improve reliability. Performance Excellence in Electricity Renewal (PEER) is an effective framework that looks comprehensively on Reliability & Resiliency with specific focus towards damage and exposure prevention. The credit implies on the project to focus on the identification of external threats and measures to mitigate them. It also specifically mention about the hardening of power systems from floods and storms, references to be considered while designing or retrofit, thus reducing the likelihood of equipment failures due to any external & physical threats.