Towards a resilient grid: A risk-based decision analysis incorporating the impacts of severe weather-induced power outages.

This research developed a risk-based decision support frame-work to assist regional and local planners and reliability and regulatory bodies to foster utility capital investments that minimize severe weather risks on electricity sector. The major objectives of this research were: (1) identify risk factors to severe weather-induced power outages affecting end-use consumers; (2) probabilistic estimation of economic loss due to a 100-year major power outage event leveraging the value of load loss concept; and (3) a framework for investment strategy selection based on reduced economic loss in the post-strategy implementation scenario compared to the traditional practice.

Climate change impact assessment on energy sector 

The major objective of this project is to enhance the resilience of the energy sector in face of long term climate change. Our proposed approach is a paradigm shift from the conventional approaches of using generalized linear models, to capture the complex climate-energy relationships. Leveraging advanced, non-linear statistical learning methods, our goal is to establish rigorously-validated non-parametric flexible models for climate-sensitive load forecasting in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. We also consider several socio-economic factors in our modeling paradigm to include their effects on the long-termenergy demand. 

Integrated risk management systems for improving internal traffic control, work zone safety, and mobility during major construction

The objective of this research was to investigate the application of integrated risk modeling to operations and maintenance activities, specifically moving operations, such as pavement testing, pavement marking, painting, snow removal, shoulder work, mowing, and so forth. The ultimate goal is to reduce the frequency and intensity of loss events (property damage, personal injury, and fatality) during operations and maintenance activities.

This report includes a literature review that identifies the current and common practices adopted by different state departments of transportation (DOTs) and other transportation agencies for safe and efficient highway operations and maintenance (O/M) activities. The final appendix to the report includes information for eight innovative O/M risk mitigation technologies/equipment and covers the following for these technologies/equipment:

• Appropriate conditions for deployment
• Performance/effectiveness, depending on hazard/activity
• Cost to purchase
• Cost to operate and maintain
• Availability (resources and references)