Infrastructure for Adapting to Climate Change
Environmental Law Forum | April 10, 2014
Agenda
Lessons Learned from Superstorm Sandy What are Northeast States Doing About It?
State of our Power Grid Role of Microgrids
Where to Start?
Superstorm Sandy by the Numbers
Damage Cost
States Affected
Loss of Power
Deaths
$71.4 Billion 24
118
Over 6 Millions
customers in 15 states
What Went Right?
Accurate scientific models:
Prediction of path and strength of hurricane
Prediction of water level rise
FEMA flood maps allowing proper evacuation
Authorities ordered
proper actions
What Went Wrong?
Failed to be prepared for handling environmental risks in the long term
Infrastructure is not prepared for the
climate of the past… let alone the one we will have in the future
NYC subway, NYCDEP and Consolidated Edison (ConEd) planners ignored potential for flooding
Flickr – ThatHartfordGuy
The Problems
Evacuation routes were compromised
Train and traffic tunnels were flooded
Bridges were closed due to high winds
Flickr – ThatHartfordGuy
The Problems
Flooding
Many communities, including parts of Manhattan, were flooded
Main sewage plants were flooded
Substations were flooded
The Problems
High Wind Conditions
Downed power lines
Downed trees
Water surge on land and in sewer systems
The Problems
Power Outages
8.5 million people lost power
Lower Manhattan substation blew up leaving everyone below 34th Street (800,000 people) without power for days
Lisa Bettany
The Problems
After the Storm
Lack of supplies and problems distributing food and water
People in lower Manhattan had to walk five miles north to get food
Toilets in high rise buildings did not function due to flooded water pumps often located in the basement
Flickr – ThatHartfordGuy
The Problems
Lack of Fuel
Waterways were closed for delivery due to floating debris
Generators could not run
Gas stations had no power to retrieve fuel
Fights and arguments were breaking out at operating gas stations, police had maintain order!
People were heating homes by boiling water in kitchens
What are States Doing About it?
Re-imagining New York for a New Reality
$17 billion plan for state investment in a wide range of projects “that will transform New York’s
infrastructure, transportation networks, energy supply, coastal protection, weather warning system and emergency management system to better
protect New Yorkers from future extreme weather…” Governor Cuomo press release 1/8/2014
$40 million in prize money behind NY Governor
Cuomo’s push to bolster the state’s post-Superstorm Sandy resilience with community microgrids
Proposal for a Stronger, More Resilient New York
$19.5 billion plan – from former NYC Mayor Bloomberg PlaNYC
New York
What are States Doing About it?
Energy Strong Plan
$4 billion plan – just released from Public Service Electric and Gas Company (NYSE: PEG)to strengthen and modernize its gas and electricity infrastructure The New Jersey utility saw about 1.7 million of its 2.2 million electric customers go without power during and after Superstorm Sandy. About $2.8 billion of the proposed plan goes toward
improvements for the electrical grid, with another $1.2 billion for gas delivery.
New Jersey
What are States Doing About it?
Connecticut Climate Preparedness Plan Connecticut’s Department of Energy and
Environmental Protection (DEEP) has finalized the state’s Plan. The plan – required by Public Act No.
08-98 - An Act Concerning Connecticut Global Warming Solutions – evaluates the projected impacts of climate change on Connecticut agriculture, infrastructure, natural resources and public health and recommends strategies to lessen those impacts.
Connecticut
What are States Doing About it?
Pennsylvania Climate Impact Assessment Update The Department of Environmental Protection this published a new report on climate change entitled, Pennsylvania Climate Impact Assessment Update, (October 2013) prepared by professors and students at Penn State University’s Environmental Natural Resources Institute.
The report was mandated by the Pennsylvania Climate Change Act of 2008 and updates the 2009 report assessing the impact of climate changes in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania
US Power Grid – Current State
Three grids with little interconnectivity Over 60 years old
~15,000 generators
211,000 miles of transmission lines
Generation capacity 1 terawatt (1,000,000,000,000 W) Losses 9.5%
Number of major outages have doubled over last 20 years
Electric Grid
Generation Transmission Distribution Commercial &
Industrial Residential
What is Microgrid?
Source: iTeres
Wind Farm
Offices
Central Power Plant
Storage Industrial
Plant
Generators
Isolated Microgrids Houses
Solar Panels
Storage
Storage Generators
Storage
Sample Microgrid
Projects
NPS /
Frank Schmidt
Alcatraz Island – San Fransisco, CA – Microgrids
NPS /
Roland Greenberg
Alcatraz Island – San Fransisco, CA – System Technology
Alcatraz Island – San Francisco, CA
The micro-grid system reduces fuel costs, meets San Francisco
emissions standards.
GTIB Inverters condition the power and are AC coupled to create an
micro-grid.
The system functions as an independent energy source.
The system allows the generators to transition from on to off seamlessly.
Site Controller coordinates and communicates with all components as
well as provides real-time monitoring and data collection.
Capabilities &
Benefits
Fort Bliss, TX – Energy Storage System
Fort Bliss, TX | System Technology
Fort Bliss, TX
The micro grid demonstrates how RE can be integrated with the electric grid
to provide increased reliability, security, and operational capabilities.
The Energy Storage System (ESS) provides a back-up energy source
in case of grid failure or intentional “islanding”.
ESS provides enough energy to power the micro grid loads through a
seamless transition, while the generator turns on to support
the loads indefinitely.
While connected to the electric grid, the ESS can provide services
such as VAR support and Frequency Regulation.
The ESS 20 ft. container consists of (1) Princeton Power Systems 100kW Grid-
tied Inverter and multiple Advanced Lead-Acid (PbA) battery racks.
Capabilities &
Benefits
Microgrid | Campus Solutions
Campuses are a natural fit for deployment
Campuses are
in a unique position to lead the charge
Addresses need for improved resilience and provides economic value
Assists communities’
preparation for
natural disasters by
offering a place of refuge
#obgPresents
#obgPresents
