Urbani izziv Volume 27, No. 1, June 2016
: 95–112
(Articles)
UDK: 621.311.1:504.4(497.4)
doi: 10.5379/urbani-izziv-en-2016-27-01-001
Author
Maruša MATKO
Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
marusa.matko@ijs.si
Mojca GOLOBIČ
University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Landscape Architecture, Ljubljana, Slovenia
mojca.golobic@bf.uni-lj.si
Branko KONTIĆ
Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
branko.kontic@ijs.si
Title
Integration of extreme weather event risk assessment into spatial planning of electric power infrastructure
Abstract
This article examines practical measures for integrating risk assessment of extreme weather events into spatial planning. An approach that integrates risks due to ice storms into spatial suitability analysis is presented in two case studies: in siting transmission and distribution power lines, and in siting windfarms. Assessment of risks to the power grid due to ice storms is carried out first. The results of the risk assessment are then used as a basis for analysing proposed alternatives for siting high-voltage power lines and as input in analysing the suitability of space for siting windfarms. The results of a cost-benefit analysis of various alternatives for siting windfarms (an alternative that takes risks due to ice storms into account and one that does not) show that the damage caused by extreme weather events has a significant impact on the economic viability of a plan. There are two options for integrating risk assessment results into planning electric energy infrastructure: by updating engineering standards and by avoiding areas where greater damage to infrastructure due to extreme weather events is expected. Risk assessment provides important information that can affect decisions about land use and decisions about technical measures for enhancing the physical resilience of infrastructure.
Key Words
spatial planning, risk assessment, extreme weather events, energy infrastructure, vulnerability