Energy system in crisis: How to improve reliability and resilience before the next disaster strikes

The energy system in the United States is in crisis. Residents across Texas have no electricity, no heat, and no water, and are fending for themselves as power outages extend for days in subfreezing temperatures. The world is already in an urgent fight to protect the planet from climate change, but the extreme weather events over the last year show that the time to update energy planning, processes, and infrastructure to prepare for more frequent and intense climate-induced natural disasters is already upon us.

The transformation of the energy system is well underway. The annual installed capacity of renewable energy is outpacing the growth of conventional fuel sources, utilities are working to digitize and upgrade grid management technologies, and everyday citizens are buying solar panels and electric vehicles. When natural disasters strike, the first reaction of many stakeholders is to blame others, especially new entrants to the system, for the disruptions. This distinguished panel will articulate the challenges to maintaining safe and reliable energy supplies, in the context of the energy transformation and the increasing threats of climate change, and discuss how the energy industry can work together with policymakers to build a more secure energy future.

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