Tag: Adaptation

Cyclone Idai and Why Communities Need to Prepare for Climate Change Resilience

Cyclone Idai and Why Communities Need to Prepare for Climate Change Resilience

Cyclone Idai and Why Communities Need to Prepare for Climate Change Resilience

03/19/19

“Why does Cyclone Idai in Mozambique show that cities need to build climate change resilience?”

The Mozambique city of Beira was recently hit by Cyclone Idai. Due to the intensity of the storm and the lack of resources, over 90% of the city was destroyed. The infrastructure was so damaged that metal roofs flew off of buildings. Since catastrophic climate events will rise in the future, cities will need to invest to change how to combat these problems. This is Why Communities Need to Prepare for Climate Change Resilience.

Image credit: https://qz.com/africa/1576018/cyclone-idai-mozambique-death-toll-could-rise-to-over-1000/

The Difference Between Reliability and Resilience

The Difference Between Reliability and Resilience

The Difference Between Reliability and Resilience

03/01/19

“What is the difference between reliability and resilience?”

In the sustainability world, the word resilience is tossed around a lot. However, many times people are actually referring to reliability. Reliability is the measure of how a system can withstand extreme events and resilience is the ability to recuperate from them. This is The Difference Between Reliability and Resilience.

How Trimming Trees Near Transmission Lines Could Increase Infrastructure Resilience in Drought-ridden Areas

How Trimming Trees Near Transmission Lines Could Increase Infrastructure Resilience in Drought-ridden Areas

How Trimming Trees Near Transmission Lines Could Increase Infrastructure Resilience

02/28/19

“How could hot areas become more resilient by trimming trees?”

Electrical transmission lines can fault for a variety of reasons. But one of the most common is from being near untrimmed trees. These can fall onto the power lines, causing power disruption. In the case of extreme drought, static buildup can even rupture a fire, as seen in the 2018 Northern Californian Camp Fire. To prevent this, we can simply trim the trees. This allows for increased safety against extreme weather. This is How Trimming Trees Near Transmission Lines Could Increase Infrastructure Resilience in Drought-ridden Areas.

How Tree Trimmings Could Help Build Power Resilience

How Tree Trimmings Could Help Build Power Resilience

How Tree Trimmings Could Help Build Power Resilience

02/21/19

“How could trimming trees help prevent blackouts?”

 

Grid failure happens all the time. But one of the most common causes actually stems from something very simple, trees! Tree foliage produces an area that is sensitive to burning and is also liable to falling down, crushing distribution. By taking away some of this foliage, some of this resiliency liability. This is How Tree Trimmings Could Help Build Power Resilience.

 

How Wave Energy Can Help Island Nations

How Wave Energy Can Help Island Nations

How Wave Energy Can Help Island Nations

02/11/19

“Why is wave energy really helpful for island nations?”

 

Island nations are strapped when it comes to energy resources. Their small land area limits the potential for distributed energy resources and centralized power plants pose a large resilience risk and monetary expense. However, there might be one form of power that can be a game changer. Since islands are surrounded by water, the can harvest the kinetic energy from the waves crashing onto their beaches. Complimenting this with other renewables, island nations can achieve true self-sufficiency. This is How Wave Energy Can Help Island Nations.

How Urban Densification Will Build Fire Resilience in California

How Urban Densification Will Build Fire Resilience in California

How Urban Densification Will Build Fire Resilience in California

12/20/18

“Why is urban density a good way to protect against wildfires in California?”

 

California is experiencing two major existential problems. First of all, runaway housing prices are placing an economic burden on millions all over the State. Second, Climate Change is exacerbating wildfires to catastrophic levels. But the Golden State has the golden opportunity to kill two birds with one stone by densifying its cities. Not only will this lower housing prices, but it will also limit suburban sprawl flooding people into fire-prone areas. This is How Urban Densification Will Build Fire Resilience in California.

How Better Utility Fault Detection Can Lead to Better Resilience Against Fires

How Better Utility Fault Detection Can Lead to Better Resilience Against Fires

How Better Utility Fault Detection Can Lead to Better Resilience Against Fires

12/01/18

“How can better fault detection in utility lines prevent more fires?”

 

Northern California recently experienced the most intense wildfire it ever endured This was caused by a utility line breaking apart near a dry forest. To prevent such a thing from happening again, we can implement better fault detection methods into grid lines. That way we will be able to detect issues before they occur with much better clarity and resolve them before a catastrophe strikes. This is How Better Utility Fault Detection Can Lead to Better Resilience Against Fires.

 

Why the Increasing Frequency of Fires Will Threat Energy Resilience

Why the Increasing Frequency of Fires Will Threat Energy Resilience

Why the Increasing Frequency of Fires Will Threat Energy Resilience

11/26/18

“How will the increased frequency of fires make us less energy resilient?”

 

The climate is changing. As temperatures get higher, the natural world is being thrown out of balance, and this includes dangerous fires such the one seen in Northern California. As these fires become more frequent, they will threaten power lines and energy generation sources. As a result, The Increasing Frequency of Fires Will Threat Energy Resilience.

 

Black Start

Black Start

Black Start

11/20/18

“How can we recover an electric grid from a blackout?”

 

Blackouts can cause enormous devastation to communities. Although recovery can be a long process, If generators are used to create power for a portion of the system. This is known as a Black Start and is one of the many ways to increase grid resilience.