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- Asset Management
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Water Risk for the Bulk Power System: Asset to Grid Impacts
Lead Companies
Sandia National Laboratories
Lead Researcher (s)
- Vince Tidwell
The majority of electricity generation in the United States (U.S.) is based on thermal and hydro power assets (90%, combined). The economic operations of hydropower assets, and the power grid, are affected by water availability, ambient temperatures, climate extremes (flood and drought), and water regulations, all of which have region-specific characteristics. A lack of water and/or warm temperatures can lower the available capacity at thermal and hydro assets and pose risks to the reliable operation of regional power systems. Future conditions are expected to significantly change and “accelerate” the hydrologic cycle, affecting both the timing of water availability and the temperature, exacerbating various risks to the power sector. Yet, there is no standardized, consistent mechanism for utilities and other stakeholders to understand how evolving predictive climate and hydrologic science can be translated to evaluate various potential water-related risks of their current grid assets (thermal, hydro) and future investment decisions.
Technology Application
Conventional Hydro
Research Category
Interconnect Integration and Markets
Research Sub-Category
Asset Management
Status
ongoing
Completion Date
TBD
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Contact Marla Barnes at: marla@hydro.org