3 steps to increase the resiliency of energy infrastructure

Picture this: A hurricane strikes a coastal town and destroys the power distribution network. A hospital generator fails, plunging the building into total darkness. Medical equipment, elevators and lighting are all non-functional. There’s no air conditioning nor natural ventilation because the windows are sealed shut, resulting in overwhelming heat and humidity. The water pumps grind to a halt, cutting off precious water access.

It’s a nightmare scenario, right? Sadly, that’s exactly what happened to Memorial Hospital in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. It could happen to any number of health care organizations in vulnerable low-laying areas up and down the eastern seaboard, especially as global warming intensifies over the coming years.

Keeping access to our energy infrastructure safe and secure is always a pressing priority, whether skies are stormy or serene. Energy infrastructure systems are often referred to as lifelines because so many other services (such as utilities and transportation) depend on the electric grid to function.

So, what steps can we collectively take to best protect our critical energy infrastructure?

1. Perform energy audits
For existing infrastructure, it’s better to begin with efficiency improvements since they’re cheaper and offer better ROI than embarking on new capital projects such as installing wind turbines. Some of the modifications can include evaluating the electric distribution system to reduce losses and better quantify usage.

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