The New York Power Authority (NYPA) announced that it has been named a co-founder of a global initiative that aims to create a more resilient power system. The three-year initiative—Climate READi: Power (REsilience and ADaptation initiative)—will be led by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and develop a common framework to advise the planning, design, and operation of resilient energy systems of the future.

"NYPA is committed to securing a resilient power system adapted to withstand the impacts of extreme weather and long-term climate trends," said NYPA Interim President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. "Climate READi is a necessary, collective approach to strengthening the reliability and resiliency of our grid—proactively mitigating climate risk to the power system with comprehensive and consistent solutions."

The first-of-its-kind framework is intended to provide an established foundation for a physical climate risk assessment by determining data needs across the utility industry. The initiative will assess the vulnerability of the grid to potential future climate threats and build a consensus on how to address such scenarios. Climate READi will prioritize and select system investments that consider a range of threats, including those not driven by climate and other grid objectives.

EPRI has outlined a scope of work that plans to cover an overall coordination effort and divides tasks into three technical workstreams. The first workstream will focus on gathering physical climate data and developing guidance on how to best apply that data in different analytical contexts. The second workstream will assess the vulnerability of energy systems and utility assets. A cost-benefit assessment will occur during the third and final workstream to determine what systems require priority investment and are most threatened by future climate threats.

Climate READi will enable global energy companies, climate scientists, regulators, and other stakeholders to proactively analyze and apply climate data, allowing for the planning, design and operation of resilient energy systems of the future.

"As the world's weather and climate are changing, so too must the energy sector's approach to ensuring a more resilient power system," said EPRI President and CEO Arshad Mansoor. "Proactively strengthening grid resilience against potential climate and weather impacts, now and in the future, will require unprecedented collaboration among the energy sector and its stakeholders."

NYPA is one of 13 founding Climate READi members. In total, Climate READi has 21 members. The additional 20 members include: AES, Alliant Energy Corporation, Ameren Corporation, American Electric Power, Consolidated Edison Co. of New York, Exelon Corporation, Fortis Inc., National Grid PLC, Oklahoma Gas & Electric, Pacific Gas & Electric, Portland General Electric, PPL Corporation, Public Service Company of New Mexico, Puget Sound Energy, Seattle City Light, Southwest Power Pool, Southern California Edison, Southern Company, Vistra, and WEC Energy Group.

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