EPA Report Highlights the Business Case for Power Resilience

EPA’s Water Infrastructure and Cyber Resilience Division (WICRD), in collaboration with the Office of Research and Development, recently published a new report, “Power Resilience: An Achievable Goal.” The report makes the business case for utilities to implement power resilience strategies and provides useful case studies.

The report supplements EPA’s “Power Resilience Guide,” which provides water and wastewater utilities with information and strategies for strengthening relationships with their electric providers and increasing their resilience to power outages. The new report, “Power Resilience: An Achievable Goal,” builds on the resilience guide by highlighting the business case for water and wastewater utilities to enhance their power resilience, identifies potential funding sources, and offers case studies that demonstrate the benefits that can be achieved after implementing the recommended strategies. The report states, “reducing your utility’s demand for grid energy through energy efficiency measures and onsite renewable energy sources lowers your operating costs and allows you to apply those funds elsewhere, such as in other infrastructure upgrades or backup power options.” Both energy efficiency and renewable energy options can enhance resilience to grid outages. Read the full report at EPA.

Preparedness and Resilience Information:

To help mitigate potential disruptions from power outages, utilities are encouraged to reassess their electricity needs and take steps to enhance their operational resilience.

In addition to the “Power Resilience Guide,” EPA has created an incident action checklist for power outages and a brochure for tips on generator preparedness. Critical infrastructure organizations can also greatly enhance their power resilience and operate during outages by building a microgrid at their facility. According to a recent article in Water Online, “microgrids can be configured to use existing onsite generation such as diesel generators, but you can also reduce the cost and use of fossil-fuel generators by incorporating renewable energy alternatives.”

A few years ago, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory organized a workshop that identified barriers between sectors and created strategies for increasing coordination and integrated planning between water and electric utilities. That study can be accessed here.

Utilities can also utilize the Interruption Cost Estimate (ICE) Calculator, which helps entities estimate the economic impacts of power interruptions. Furthermore, CISA’s “Resilient Power Best Practices for Critical Facilities and Sites,” offers guidance and discusses power resilience in regards to the all-hazards threat landscape. Lastly, utilities can apply for grants, like FEMA’s BRIC program.