Impacts of climate change on Critical Infrastructure · Protection of Critical Infrastructure, Nicosia, Cyprus, 7-8th March 2017 Observable Climate Change Effects Global Temperatures

L O U I S A M A R I E S H A K O U

Impacts of climate change on Critical Infrastructure

European University Cyprus

Protection of Critical Infrastructure, Nicosia, Cyprus, 7-8th March 2017

Observable Climate Change Effects

Global Temperatures have increased by 0.8 C since pre-industrial levels

The atmosphere and oceans as a result have warmed

Leading to a reduction in the amounts of snow and ice, as well as a

Rise in global average sea levels by 19cm

These observed effects are predicted to result in an increase in the intensity and frequency of extreme events


EU-CIRCLE Scope

According to the IPCC the social, technological & environmental interconnectedness of the world mean that the impacts created by CC can propagate and create cascading stresses

EU-CIRCLE addresses a part of this through the impacts of CC on critical infrastructure

The project will address CC impacts on 6 CI sectors:

1. Energy 2. Transport

3. ICT 4. Water

5. Chemical Industry 6. Public Sector


World Economic Forum – Global risks 2017


Impacts of extreme weather on the power sector

Electricity infrastructure located along the coast is at risk:

from sea level rise,

increasing intensity of storms, and

higher storm surge & flooding.


Electricity transmission and distribution systems:

carry less current & operate less efficiently when ambient air temperatures are higher

are at risk of physical damage from more intense & frequent storm events

are at risk of physical damage from more intense & frequent wildfires.



Thermoelectric power generation facilities are at risk from decreasing water availability and increasing ambient air and water temperatures

These reduce the efficiency of cooling, increase the likelihood of exceeding water thermal intake or effluent limits that protect local ecology

These effects will vary across regions across Europe and across the world



Increased frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation might increase the flood risk to:

power plants,

substations and underground transmission infrastructure,

Resulting in the infrastructure components inundation.



Impacts of drought on the power sector



Examples of recorded impacts of extreme weather on the power sector

Snowfall and freezing rain resulted in a partial collapse of the electricity infrastructure in Slovenia in 2014


Potential Impacts of wildfires on the power sector


Examples of recorded impacts of extreme weather on the oil and gas sector

Extensive Mississippi River flooding May 2011. The type of flooding is expected once every 10-25 yrs, though it has occurred more frequently restricting Rex Energy’s Operations.


July 2006: More than 2,000 distribution line transformers in California failed during a heat wave, causing loss of power to approximately 1.3 million customers

October 2007: The California Independent System Operator declared an emergency due to wildfire damage to the Southwest Power link transmission system, including more than two dozen transmission lines out of service with damage to 35 miles of wire and nearly 80,000 customers in San Diego losing power, some for several weeks.

Examples of recorded impacts of extreme weather on the power sector


Risks to the energy sector from Climate Change

Source: U.S. Energy Sector Vulnerabilities to Climate Change and Extreme Weather, US Department of Energy


The chemical sector’s infrastructure is often concentrated along the coast and riverside ports

This exposes the sector’s infrastructure to coastal erosion and flooding by sea level rise, tidal and storm surges

Accidental discharge due to floods

Destruction of storage depots of volatile chemicals and hazardous waste, leading to loss of containment

Disruption to utility supplies (water, electricity & gas)

Impacts of climate change on the chemical sector


An important aspect of natural disasters in relation to the chemical industry is that they can trigger Natech events.

Natechs are characterised by several features which highlight their significance against other types of industrial accidents.

Multiple hazmat releases may occur simultaneously.

Emergency response personnel & resources may not be available making containment of the hazmat release challenging.

Impacts of climate change on the chemical sector


Impacts of heatwaves on the chemical sector

Heat waves can result in:

solvent evaporation within warehouses containing sensitive substances;

the accumulation of inflammable vapours in confined spaces (storage sites);

and the uncontrolled heating of stored materials; wastes which could trigger a Natech event


Flood water infiltration into pipelines increases drinking water quality risk

Direct asset flooding causes service failure and asset loss

Increased storm frequency and power supply flooding increases frequency of power loss, causing service failure

Loss of supply due to drought and depressurisation of the supply system leads to greater incidence of air blockages, causing service failure

Impacts of climate change on the water sector


Loss of supply or intermittent supplies increases risk of external contaminants entering the pipelines, increasing drinking water quality risk

Loss of supply and de-pressurisation of pipelines leads to greater incidence of pipe failure, and resulting contamination during re-pressurisation increases drinking water quality risk




All Water Resources

- Direct asset flooding causes service failure and asset loss - Increased storm frequency and power supply flooding increases frequency of

power loss, causing service failure

All Water Treatment

- Direct asset flooding causes service failure and asset loss - Increased storm frequency increases frequency of power loss, causing service

failure

Storage Reservoirs and Aqueducts

- More intense rainfall events exceed capacity of spillways to deal with increased storm intensity, causing service failure, customer flooding and asset loss

- Increased soil erosion causes the siltation of dams, causing accelerated asset deterioration and asset loss

Service Reservoirs and Water Towers

Direct flooding causes contaminants to enter underground storage tanks increasing drinking water quality risk

Treated water pipelines

Direct flooding causes contaminants to enter pipelines, increasing drinking water quality risk

All Site wide Services

- Direct asset flooding cuts access to assets, endangering H&S of site staff - Direct flooding leads to submersion of electrical assets, increasing risk to

operatives of electrocution endangering H&S of site staff

SCADA & Telemetry

Flooding causes loss of SCADA and /or telemetry causing a service loss


Impacts of climate change on the transport sector

River Ebro in Spain breaks its banks

The impact of landslides onto the highway in Ecuador


Elements of infrastructure which are below ground are vulnerable to flooding, rising water tables, water ingress, subsidence caused by drought or flooding

Elements that located above the ground such as masts, antennae, overhead wires, cables etc. are at risk from precipitation, wind, snow, unstable ground conditions and changes in humidity

Drought increases the risk of land subsidence resulting in a potential reduction in the stability of the foundations and tower structures

Impacts of climate change on the ICT sector


Impacts of climate change on the ICT sector


Impacts of storms on the ICT sector

Hurricane Sandy resulted in flooding of Verizon Central Offices in Lower Manhattan


Impacts of climate change on the Public sector

Thank You For Your Attention

http://www.eu-circle .eu

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 653824

Documents

Impacts of climate change on Critical Infrastructure · Protection of Critical Infrastructure, Nicosia, Cyprus, 7-8th March 2017 Observable Climate Change Effects Global Temperatures