Protecting Assets against an Increasing Risk of Flood

Summary

In some parts of the world, climate change will likely increase the frequency and severity of floods. Components of an electrical network, such as substations, can be highly vulnerable to flooding. And when electrical equipment comes into contact with water, the damages are often irreversible; in some cases, entire substations must be replaced. Floods can cause entire sections of electrical networks to be de-energized resulting in a loss of power for customers.

This case study describes the approaches and solutions adopted by several utilities to reduce vulnerability to extreme floods. A cost-effective approach is to create a safety buffer when building new substations by ensuring that vulnerable equipment sits above the higher floodwater levels expected due to climate change. As some utilities do not have the capacity to evaluate potential future floodwater levels, they turn to external consultants for assistance in determining the risk of flooding and the appropriate levels to use for planning.