Integrated hydrological, power system and economic modelling of climate impacts on electricity demand and cost

Mort Webster, Karen Fisher-Vanden, Vijay Kumar, Richard B. Lammers, Joseph Perla

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Impacts of climate-related water stress and temperature changes can cascade through energy systems, although models have yet to capture this compounding of effects. Here, we employ a coupled water–power–economy model to capture these important interactions in a study of the exceedance of water temperature thresholds for power generation in the western United States. We find that not all reductions in reserve electricity-generation capacity result in impacts, and that when they occur, intermittent interruptions in electricity supply at critical times of the day, week and year account for much of the economic impacts. Finally, we find that impacts may be in different locations from the original water stress. We estimate that the consumption loss can be up to 0.3% annually and the drivers identified in coupled modelling can increase the average cost of electricity by up to 3%.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)163-169
Number of pages7
JournalNature Energy
Volume7
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2022

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Fuel Technology
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology

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