DOI: 10.36344/ccijhss.2018.v04i02.001

Pages: 12-17

The number of extreme weather events that have affected the globe from hurricanes that devastated the Caribbean region and major coastal regions of the United States, to the lashing winds and rains that barreled down on the United Kingdom, have been record-breaking. The economic costs of these extreme weather events are staggering. For example, from the list of the top 20 hurricanes to affect the United States, experts estimated the combined economic costs into trillions of dollars. Hurricane Katrina was estimated at $300 billion, Harvey at $180 billion, Irma at $100 billion, Sandy at $71 billion, and Maria at $85 billion. These estimated figures are not just dollars lost in the damage done by the storm, but they also comprise other key components, including: disruption to business, unemployment periods lasting up to months, transportation and infrastructure damages, crop loss …, increased fuel prices, and property damages. This article explores the impact of several major hurricanes on the power supply systems during 2017. Besides the U.S. storms, Hurricane Ophelia also battered the United Kingdom. Of less frequency, but of great significance is the experience of a solar eclipse which resulted in the complete loss of the power to those relying on solar power, and a sudden and significant drop in atmospheric pressure? The importance of diversifying the power supply systems and boosting energy storage are highlighted as possible strategies for managing the effects of these increasingly extreme weather events on power supply systems.