Impact Of Climate Changes on Transmission System Operator Assets: Experiences from Croatia and Need for Resilience Plan

Abstract

The consequences of climate change are felt everywhere, especially on power systems assets, whereby overhead lines as one of its most exposed elements. It is expected that impact of climate changes, especially effects of evident global warming will be even more expressed in the coming decades, with increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events in the form of storms, winds, snow, ice, high temperatures, fires, etc. Therefore, it is essential to ensure the safe and stable operation of power networks. An experience with two strong storms which appeared within only two days in July, 2023 affecting larger part of Croatian transmission network are presented, in order to discuss whether it is necessary to change valid requirements for new overhead lines, and to consider establishment of internal resilience mechanisms for better withstand the impacts of climate change and global warming.