Climate change is ripping apart cities physically and emotionally. Harsh weather conditions are tearing down infrastructure such as buildings, roads, and transmission lines, which are critical for keeping communities connected and safe. Heat waves have been spreading across America. Some cities are reaching temperatures of 100 degrees and don't have the capacity in infrastructure to handle that. An industry being tested is the energy sector. We are seeing an increase in demand for electricity due to soaring temperatures.
Fossil fuels have been the backbone of America and have significantly contributed to climate change and the heat waves we are seeing today. Renewables are the alternative. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, 248 gigawatts of solar capacity is installed nationwide. Solar keeps our grid resilient by being able to provide energy during the peak sun hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is especially important when it comes to heatwaves.
Battery storage is a valuable element to grid resilience due to its grid regulation functions and storage capacity. Heatwaves can cause mass blackouts amongst communities. Battery storage is able to provide backup power quickly. When there are spikes in demand, batteries are able to inject power to keep the grid stable. This prevents blackouts, which are caused by insufficient regulation.
To maintain a functioning grid during heat waves, current infrastructures such as transmission lines and substations need to be updated and maintained. They were not originally built to maintain the capacity that we currently need. The U.S. needs to invest more in making sure that they are able to withstand extreme temperatures.