What systemic vulnerabilities in the Northeastern U.S. power grid were exposed by the recent winter storm, and how might they inform climate‑resilient infrastructure policy?
The recent winter storm in the Northeastern U.S. exposed significant systemic vulnerabilities in the power grid, including inadequate winterization of power infrastructure, over-reliance on natural gas, and insufficient grid modernization. These vulnerabilities led to widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of customers. To enhance resilience, climate-resilient infrastructure policy should focus on grid winterization, diversification of energy sources, and investment in grid modernization technologies like advanced conductors and microgrids. International examples, such as Sweden's adoption of underground transmission and distribution cables, demonstrate effective strategies for reducing climate-related damage. Comparative analyses with other regions facing similar challenges can further inform best practices for the Northeastern U.S The ‘unprecedented’ risks facing our power grid this winter should be a wake-up call for government | Utility Diveutilitydive +2.