Weather Insights Are Important Resource For Infrastructure Bill Climate Change Programs

The infrastructure bill passed by Congress last Friday may result in the single biggest climate change initiative the U.S. has ever seen. There are two big areas in the bill which will benefit from weather insights: growing the use of renewable resources in the U.S. and investing in technology and infrastructure to help the country adapt to the devastating impacts of extreme weather resulting from climate change. Using weather insights will help at all levels of program implementation around these initiatives to help inform decision making and planning. 

The infrastructure bill includes several different programs focusing on reducing carbon emissions in the energy sector, with a focus on investments and proposed tax credits around renewable energy. Solar energy, for example, has the potential to power 40 percent of the electric supply in the U.S., and the U.S. Department of Energy, says that by 2050, wind could be a feasible source of renewable electricity in all 50 states.  It takes weather to manage the weather when it comes to using it as a renewable energy source. Because weather is an important component in every aspect of renewable energy development, weather insights need to be considered during site selection and installation, when optimizing energy generation, for routine maintenance, and even decommissioning sites.  Perhaps the biggest impact of weather analytics is in managing supply and demand of renewable energy.

Weather analytics plays a major role in maintaining a steady flow of energy from nature, which is very different from using a fuel source where there is more control. With renewable energy, the goal for utility companies is to compensate for source fluctuations, rather than control the flow of the resource — like with coal or natural gas — and that’s where weather insights come into play. It’s important for renewable energy companies to use a comprehensive set of weather models, along with statistical forecasting to best understand the amount of potential power available.

In addition to the commitment to renewable energy sources to address climate change concerns, the infrastructure bill contains investments and incentives to help adapt to the worst impacts of climate change from flooding to hurricanes to extreme temperatures.  Weather analytics fuels the future for preventing, preparing, and mitigating the impact of weather events, and the more ‘weather-mature’ an entity can be, the better its ability to respond to any weather situation. Extreme weather preparation includes evaluating the assets and risks, such as infrastructure, service areas, operations, and safety, through the lens of potential weather impact.  Preparation might also include table-top exercises and drills to ensure that all parties involved are aware of protocols and procedures ahead of a significant weather event. Often, a professional meteorologist is asked to develop a mock weather scenario, provide briefings, and answer questions throughout the drill.

As these new programs and initiatives for climate change move forward, weather information will play an important role, providing more than just forecasts. Weather insights contribute to effective management of energy resources, particularly as it relates to impact on the environments, and also helps identify and mitigate risks related to extreme weather events. Weather analytics, when combined with data science and insight, can have a powerful impact and has been the most underused, yet readily available, resource that can be used to prepare for the future of our climate.

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