A new study has revealed key insights into how socioeconomic and infrastructure factors can make certain communities more vulnerable to prolonged power outages in California. The research, led by experts from the University of Virginia and Pennsylvania State University, introduces a data-driven Social Vulnerability Index to help policymakers better prepare and protect at-risk populations from the increasing threat of power disruptions.
"This index provides a tool for decision-makers to prioritize resources and interventions in the communities most at risk," said Somayeh Asadi, co-author and professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Virginia. "As we face more extreme weather events, understanding these vulnerabilities is critical for improving infrastructure resilience."
The study, published in Applied Energy, leverages county-level data to examine factors such as demographic profiles, power outage history and the availability of backup power resources like electric vehicle chargers and solar panels. Through this comprehensive analysis, the researchers identified communities at the greatest risk and provided a projection for 2030, showing how evolving factors may change vulnerability over time.
Key findings include those counties with fewer public EV chargers and limited access to rooftop solar power are significantly more vulnerable. The study also emphasizes that the number of adults living alone and the frequency of outages are increasingly important risk factors for future planning.
The researchers stress that the insights from this study will be essential for local governments, utility companies and emergency responders in ensuring equitable access to power during outages. The results underscore the importance of investing in energy resilience strategies, particularly in disadvantaged communities that experience frequent power losses.
The development of the Social Vulnerability Index offers actionable data that can guide investments in energy resilience and disaster preparedness, ensuring more robust and equitable protection for vulnerable populations. Adopting renewable energy solutions and expanding electric vehicle infrastructure can play a major role in reducing vulnerability.
Publication Information
“A data-driven approach to quantify social vulnerability to power outages: California case study” by Abdolah Loni and Somayeh Asadi was published in Applied Energy, volume 359, on April 1, 2024.