Renewable Energy to Support Energy Security
Background U.S. Department of State defines energy medical care protocols rely on depend- security as “access to diversified energy able power (e.g., dialysis centers and Renewable energy plays an important sources, routes, suppliers [in order to operating rooms). Vulnerable patients role in supporting energy security1 limit] the influence of a single dominant can die from heat or cold exposure. through contributing to the protection buyer, seller, or investor and guards The blackouts in Puerto Rico after and continued provision of energy against those who would use energy for Hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017 services when a disruption occurs (DOE coercive ends” (DOE 2017). greatly impacted the chronically ill who 2017). Sources of disruption to energy relied on electricity to power health services can be natural, technological, Energy security is vital to many sectors care machines. Deaths due to chronic and human-caused—such as weather of the economy. Examples include, but illness after the hurricanes surged in events, cyberattacks, and global market are not limited to, the following: comparison to the same period in 2016 disturbances. Industry: Nearly all modern industries (Hernandez, Learning., and Murphy Although energy systems have always depend on reliable and affordable 2017). been subject to disruption, potential power supplies. Power outages and Other Critical Services: Power is also threats are increasing in relation to poor power quality can cause damage essential in providing other critical reliance on energy for economic to manufacturing equipment and services related to water and sanitation growth; intensifying weather events; impact production. Unstable energy and telecommunications, among and the growing potential of large-scale prices can impact the economics of others. Provision of these services is cyberattacks on increasingly networked producing goods and services. especially critical in the aftermath of a energy systems. Such evolutions give disaster to avoid cascading negative urgency to understanding trends and Food: The globalized industrial food impacts and enable recovery. vulnerabilities in emerging energy system is largely dependent on fossil technologies, planning, and practices. fuels to power farming equipment, Threats to Energy Security produce pesticides and fertilizer, and Institutions and governments around transport goods. To prevent food from Threats to the energy sector can be the world define energy security in spoiling, reliable power is needed natural, technological, or human- different ways. The International Energy to keep produce cool in refrigerated caused—and can damage, destroy, Agency (IEA) defines energy security as warehouses or transportation contain- or disrupt energy systems (Resilient “the uninterrupted availability of energy ers. Rising fuel and energy prices can Energy Platform). A community that is sources at an affordable price.” IEA also impact food prices and affordability energy-secure will incorporate resilient makes a distinction between long-term (Neff, Parker, Kirschenmann, Tinch, and systems and approaches that can energy security for future economic Lawrence 2011). prevent, mitigate, or allow for adaptation development and short-term energy to threats and changing conditions. security that ensures energy systems Health Care: Interruptions to power Examples of threats to the energy will react quickly to sudden changes in supplies can impact medical centers sector include: the supply-demand balance (IEA). The and hospitals. Certain treatments or
1 It is important to note that energy security is not the same as energy sovereignty. Energy sovereignty refers to the ability of a community or nation to internally produce all necessary energy; however, energy sovereignty does not mean a community is energy secure. As an example, a jurisdiction that internally produces 100% of its energy from solar power may not be energy secure if they experience natural disasters that threaten solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. www.resilient-energy.org | www.nrel.gov/usaid-partnership Natural Disasters: Severe weather events like droughts and storms are The Connection Across Energy Security and Resilience projected to become more intense and destructive (IPCC 2012). These Energy security and resilience are related and, in many cases, interlinked. events can decrease or disrupt sup- Countries and jurisdictions think about the relationship between energy security and resilience in different ways. For example, the Government plies and negatively impact energy of Laos recently undertook a power sector vulnerability assessment that infrastructure (Rudnick 2011). In the fed into a resilience action plan. This plan is seen as supporting a broader United States, severe weather is the country objective to enable energy security. In most cases, energy security is number one cause of power outages seen as an overarching objective, and resilience is seen as an energy system (Executive Office of the President 2013). characteristic that can contribute to energy security through enabling Cyberattacks: The energy sector is adaptation to changing conditions and recovery from disruptions. Figure 1 becoming more automated, digitized, presents one perspective for considering the interlinkage across energy and interconnected. Cyberattacks are security and energy resilience. becoming more common and could pose a greater threat as the energy sector becomes more modern and connected (IEA).
Geopolitics: Interstate conflicts can ENERG SECURIT ENERG RESILIENCE threaten energy security. For example, A strategic objective to An energy system property maintain energy services The ability to adapt to the 1973 oil crisis resulted from an Protecting systems against changing conditions and embargo by the Organization of disruption from natural, recover from disruptions human or technological Contributes to energy Petroleum Exporting Countries on causes security the United States (U.S. Department of State). Political instability in fuel producing nations can impact energy prices. Figure 1. Interlinkage of Energy Security and Energy Resilience. Fuel Price Fluctuations: Changes Illustration by Brittany Conrad, NREL in fuel prices (e.g., related to market or other factors) can threaten energy security through impacting a nation’s cooling. Reduced precipitation or Deploying renewable energy tech- or community’s ability to purchase fuels. increased water temperatures can nologies supports the goal of energy impact supply by limiting power plant security and supports the realization of Long-Term Climatic Changes: capacity. Snowpack melt changes additional benefits. Changing environmental conditions like (i.e., the timing of melt and runoff in air temperature, water temperature, and the spring or summer) changes peak Diversifying the Generation Mix: water availability can cause stress to production for hydroelectric systems Renewable energy can support energy energy systems. (Zamuda, Bilello, Conzelmann, Mecray, security by adding diversity to an overall et al. 2018). electricity generation portfolio. Diversity • Rising temperatures increase the of a power generation portfolio can demand for air conditioning, most • Changes in sea levels or storm surges relate to the spatial location, types of significantly impacting summer peak can impact energy infrastructure close generation resources, and fuel sources energy demands (Zamuda, Bilello, to shorelines, due to flooding (EPA). or supply. Conzelmann, Mecray, et al. 2018). How Can Renewable Energy • Spatial diversity—A more spatially • Water is necessary for energy Support Energy Security? diverse generation and storage production. Hydroelectric systems energy portfolio can better withstand depend on flow, and some electricity Energy security remains a key objective shocks to the system. With more production systems need water for of many countries around the world. resources across different geographic
2 areas, such diversity could power Reducing Water Use: Technologies critical facilities, such as hospitals, infrastructure during disasters, with high water requirements are water treatment facilities, or vulnerable cyberattacks, or other extreme vulnerable to drought or other climatic communities, in a safe manner. events. Spatially diverse energy events. Deploying renewable energy generation portfolios can also provide can reduce potential fluctuations Coupling with Storage: A renewable a smoothing effect across variable or uncertainty in power generation based energy system, utility-scale or generation resources, allowing for portfolios that depend on hydro or distributed, can further support energy improved reliability and integration of require significant amounts of water for security when coupled with energy variable renewables (Cox, Hotchkiss, generation or cooling. storage technologies. Storage allows for Bilello, Watson, et al. 2017). fluctuations of a generation technology Modularity and Rapid Deployment: (e.g., solar PV or wind), while providing According to Cox et al. “Modularity [of power to a site through stored power distributed renewable technologies] (e.g., a charged battery system). In What is a Power System allows for locational flexibility and for addition, storage can provide backup Threat? new generation systems to be put in power in the event of an outage and place at a faster pace than large-scale potentially allow for black start recov- Anything that can damage, systems as electricity demand grows ery2 when the system is designed to do destroy, or disrupt the power and understanding of climate risks so. In alignment with energy security system is considered a threat. Threats can be natural, tech- improves.” Modularity can support objectives, energy storage can also nological, or caused by human energy security through rapid deploy- support stabilization of electricity prices, activity. Threats are not ment of more modular, distributed management of demand changes, and typically within the control of energy systems in response to chang- mitigation of curtailment. the power system planners ing threats. In addition, modularity can and operators and can support the diversification of energy include wildfires, cyclones or generation, as distributed systems have typhoons, droughts, longer greater locational flexibility and can term temperature changes, be deployed in diverse settings. Finally, cyberattacks, and many others. when a part of a modular system is damaged or fails it is typically easier Learn more at: https://resilient- to repair than a larger system failure. energy.org/guidebook In some cases, the section that is damaged can be removed while the rest of the system continues to function, or the part replacement can • Resource and fuel diversity—Having occur quickly. a majority reliance on one specific fuel type makes the power system Islanding: Renewable distributed vulnerable to fuel supply constraints generation technologies can be or price fluctuations. Diversifying equipped with control mechanisms Deploying renewable energy technologies supports the goal of energy security and energy portfolios with renewable to support “islanding” of on-site power sources in the event of a disaster. supports the realization of additional benefits. energy can help communities Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL 58004 reduce dependence on fuel imports, Islanding controls can isolate a dis- tributed power source from other especially in island nation settings. Resilient Energy Platform Further, renewable electricity prices systems, allowing them to continue The Resilient Energy Platform helps are often stable, in contrast to to provide power locally even if the countries to address power system regularly shifting fossil fuel prices main grid is compromised or disrupted. vulnerabilities by providing strategic due to geopolitical, market, or other Importantly, islanded distributed energy resources and direct country support, factors (Olz, Sims, and Kirchner 2007). systems (especially when combined with storage) can provide power to enabling planning and deployment of
2 “Black Start is the procedure [used] to restore power in the event of a total or partial shutdown of [a] national electricity transmission system” (National Grid ESO).
3 resilient energy solutions. This includes Ebinger, Jane, and Walter Vergara. USAID (United States Agency for expertly curated reference materials, Climate Impacts on Energy Systems : International Development). Climate training materials, data, tools, and Key Issues for Energy Sector Adaptation. Vulnerability Assessment. https://www. direct technical assistance in planning 60051. Washington, D.C.: The climatelinks.org/resources/climate-vul- resilient, sustainable, and secure power World Bank. March 2010. http:// nerability-assessment-annex-usaid-cli- systems. Ultimately, these resources documents.worldbank.org/curated/ mate-resilient-development-framework enable decision makers to assess power en/580481468331850839/Climate- sector vulnerabilities, identify resilience impacts-on-energy-systems-key-issues- World Bank Group. Enhancing Power solutions, and make informed decisions for-energy-sector-adaptation. Sector Resilience: Emerging Practices to to enhance energy sector resilience Manage Weather and Geological Risks. at all scales (including local, regional, Hache, Emmanuel. “Do Renewable June 2016. https://openknowledge. and national scales). To learn more Energies Improve Energy Security in the worldbank.org/handle/10986/26382. Long Run?” International Economics 156 about the solutions highlighted in this World Business Council for Sustainable fact sheet, please visit the Platform at: (December 2018): 127–35. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.inteco.2018.01.005. Development. Building a Resilient resilient-energy.org. Power Sector. Geneva: WBCSD. Additional Resources Hotchkiss, Eliza, Alex Dane, and Connie 2014. http://www.wbcsd.org/ Komomua. “Resilience Roadmap.” Clusters/ClimateEnergy/Resources/ ADB (Asian Development Bank). Climate Golden, CO: NREL. 2018. https://www. Building-a-ResilientPower-Sector. Risk and Adaptation in the Electric nrel.gov/resilience-planning-roadmap/. Power Sector. Manila, Philippines: Asian Wilson, R. and B. Biewald. 2013. “Best Development Bank. July 2012. https:// Hughes, Larry. “The Four ‘R’s of Practices in Electric Utility Integrated www.adb.org/publications/climate-risk- Energy Security.” Energy Policy 37, no. Resource Planning.” Synapse Energy and-adaptation-electric-power-sector. 6 (June 2009): 2459–61. https://doi. Economics, Inc. http://www.raponline. org/10.1016/j.enpol.2009.02.038. org/ wp-content/uploads/2016/05/ Baldwin, David A. “The Concept of rapsynapsewilsonbiewald-bestpractic- Security.” Review of International Studies Mission Support Center, Idaho esinirp-2013- jun-21.pdf. World Future 23, no. 1 (January 1997): 5–26. https:// National Laboratory. Cyber Threat and Council. 2016. “Renewable Energy and doi.org/10.1017/S0260210597000053. Vulnerability Analysis of the U.S. Electric Sustainable Development. Accounting Sector. August 2016. https://www. Cox, Sadie, Pieter Gagnon, Sherry Stout, for Impacts on the Path to 100% RE.” energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2017/01/ https://www.worldfuturecouncil.org/ Owen Zinaman, Andrea Watson, and f34/Cyber%20Threat%20and%20 Eliza Hotchkiss. Distributed Generation file/2016/08/WFC_2016_Renewable- Vulnerability%20Analysis%20of%20 Energyand-Sustainable-Development.pdf. to Support Development-Focused the%20U.S.%20Electric%20Sector.pdf. Climate Action. NREL/TP-6A20-66597. References September 2016. https://www.nrel.gov/ Stout, Sherry, Nathan Lee, Sadie Cox, docs/fy16osti/66597.pdf. James Elsworth, and Jennifier Leisch. Cox, Sadie, Eliza Hotchkiss, Dan Bilello, Power Sector Resilience Planning Andrea Watson, Alison Holm, and Cronin, Jennifer, Gabrial Anandarajah, Guidebook. NREL/TP-7A40-73489. June Jennifer Leisch. Bridging Climate Change and Olivier Dessens. “Climate Change 2019. https://resilient-energy.org/ Resilience and Mitigation in the Electricity Impacts on the Energy System: A guidebook. Sector Through Renewable Energy and Review of Trends and Gaps.” Climatic Energy Efficiency. NREL/TP-6A20-67040. Change 151, no. 2 (August 2018): UNDP (United Nations Development November 2017. https://www.iea.org/ 79–93. https://doi.org/10.1007/ Programme). Mapping Climate Change publications/freepublications/publica- s10584-018-2265-4. Vulnerability and Impact Scenarios. tion/so_contribution.pdf. November 2010. https://www.undp. DOE (U.S. Department of Energy). org/content/undp/en/home/library- DOE (U.S. Department of Energy). “U.S. Energy Sector Vulnerabilities to page/environment-energy/low_emis- Valuation of Energy Security for the United Climate Change and Extreme Weather.” sion_climateresilientdevelopment/ States. Washington, D.C.: DOE. January Washington, D.C.: DOE. July 2013. mapping-climate-change-vulnerability. 2017. https://www.energy.gov/sites/ https://www.energy.gov/downloads/ html. prod/files/2017/01/f34/Valuation%20 us-energy-sector-vulnerabilities-cli- of%20Energy%20Security%20 mate-change-and-extreme-weather.
4 for%20the%20United%20States%20 Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance net/publication/224221616_Impact_ %28Full%20Report%29_1.pdf. Climate Change Adaptation. A Special of_Natural_Disasters_on_Electricity_ Report of Working Groups I and II of the Supply_Guest_Editorial. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Intergovernmental Panel on Climate “Climate Impacts on Energy.” https:// Change. Cambridge University Press, U.S. Department of State. “Oil Embargo, 19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/ Cambridge, United Kingdom. 2012. 1973-1974.” Office of the Historian, climate-impacts/climate-impacts- https://wg1.ipcc.ch/srex/downloads/ Foreign Service Institute. Accessed energy_.html. SREX-All_FINAL.pdf. July 9, 2019. https://history.state.gov/ milestones/1969-1976/oil-embargo. Executive Office of the President. National Grid ESO. “Black Start.” https:// Economic Benefits of Increasing Electric www.nationalgrideso.com/balancing- Zamuda, C., D.E. Bilello, G. Conzelmann, Grid Resilience to Weather Outages. services/system-security-services/ E. Mecray, A. Satsangi, V. Tidwell, and B.J. August 2013. https://www.energy.gov/ black-start. Walker, 2018: Energy Supply, Delivery, sites/prod/files/2013/08/f2/Grid%20 and Demand. In Impacts, Risks, and Resiliency%20Report_FINAL.pdf. Neff, Roni, Cindy Parker, Frederick Adaptation in the United States: Fourth Kirschenmann, Jennifer Tinch, and National Climate Assessment, Volume II Hernandez, Arelis, Whitney Learning, Robert Lawrence. “Peak Oil, Food [Reidmiller, D.R., C.W. Avery, D.R. and Zoeann Murphy. “Sin Luz: Life Systems, and Public Health.” American Easterling, K.E. Kunkel, K.L.M. Lewis, Without Power.” Washington Post. Journal of Public Health 101, no. 9 T.K. Maycock, and B.C. Stewart (eds.)]. (September 2011): 1587-1597. 10.2105/ U.S. Global Change Research Program, December 14, 2017. https://www. AJPH.2011.300123. Washington, DC, USA, pp. 174–201. doi: 10.7930/NCA4.2018.CH4 washingtonpost.com graphics/2017/ Olz, Samantha, Ralph Sims, and Nicolai nationalpuerto-rico-life-without-power/. Kirchner. Contribution of Renewables IEA (International Energy Agency). to Energy Security. April 2007. https:// “Resilience.” Accessed July 9, 2019. www.iea.org/publications/freepublica- https://www.iea.org/topics/ tions/publication/so_contribution.pdf. energysecurity/resilience/. Resilient Energy Platform. “Glossary.” IEA. “What is energy security?” Accessed July 10, 2019. https:// Accessed July 10, 2019. https:// resilient-energy.org/about/glossary. www.iea.org/topics/energysecurity/ Rudnick, Hugh. “Impact of Natural whatisenergysecurity/. Disasters on Electricity Supply.” IEEE IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Power and Energy Magazine 9, no. 2 (May Climate Change). Managing the Risks of 2011): 22-26. https://www.researchgate.
Written by Sadie Cox, Laura Beshilas, Eliza Hotchkiss, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
www.resilient-energy.org | www.nrel.gov/usaid-partnership
Jennifer E. Leisch, Ph.D. The Resilient Energy Platform provides expertly curated resources, training, tools, and technical assistance USAID-NREL Partnership Manager to enhance power sector resilience. The Resilient Energy Platform is supported by the U.S. Agency for U.S. Agency for International Development International Development. Tel: +1-303-913-0103 | Email: [email protected] The USAID-NREL Partnership addresses critical challenges to scaling up advanced energy systems Sadie Cox through global tools and technical assistance, including the Renewable Energy Data Explorer, Greening the Senior Researcher Grid, the International Jobs and Economic Development Impacts tool, and the Resilient Energy Platform. National Renewable Energy Laboratory More information can be found at: www.nrel.gov/usaid-partnership. Tel: +1-303-384-7391 | Email: [email protected]
This work was authored, in part, by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), operated by Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under Contract No. DE-AC36-08GO28308. Funding provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under Contract No. IAG-17-2050. The views expressed in this report do not necessarily represent the views of the DOE or the U.S. Government, or any agency thereof, including USAID. NREL/TP-6A20-74617 | October 2019 NREL prints on paper that contains recycled content.