Heat Vulnerability Analysis And Mapping (HEVAM): Analysis of United States power grids vulnerability to climate changes

The importance of the power grid under the energy sector umbrella is difficult to overstate, as it enables the function of nearly all critical infrastructure systems. The interconnected assets within electrical substations enable the function of our society and economy. With such a vast system of interconnected nodes, threats to the stability of this network come in many forms, from natural hazards to malicious threats. To quantify these impacts, we rely on a novel software-based asset survey system developed at George Mason University (GMU) utilizing satellite and street view imagery for classifying and geolocating over 38,000 component-level assets over 1,300 extra high-voltage substations. The ability to accurately differentiate components and spatially plot transmission and distribution assets allows for a more detailed analysis of vulnerabilities and external stressors beyond what is currently available in open-source repositories. We also rely on CMIP 6 climate models forecast to give us the forecasted max surface temperature over next few decades over the entire map of the United States. Combining both datasets and refining our research to improve component-level granularity, the study aims to provide deeper insight into the vulnerability of the power grids at their subcomponent level, to the climate changes over the future. Foundational research already supports precise simulation of performance under scenarios such as extreme weather conditions and prolonged heat waves, informing future strategies aimed at bolstering the resilience of the United States power grid against climate-related challenges, ultimately safeguarding the reliability of electrical distribution for all.