Acknowledgement
My remarks are based on the published
results of R&D by Canadian Government
Departments on Adaptation to CC.
In particular the report by Lemmen*,
Warren* & Lacroix**:
“From Impacts to Adaptation: Canada in
a Changing Climate”
* Natural Resources Canada **Environment Canada
PES GM2010: CCTSC Panel Session July 26, 2010
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Introduction & Overview
  Adaptation
to CC: Why & What?
  CC Evidence & Impacts
  Power & Energy Sector Impacts
  Vulnerability & Adaptive Capacity
  Adaptation Measures for Power Sector
  Risk Management
  Future Directions
  Conclusions
PES GM2010: CCTSC Panel Session July 26, 2010
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Why? – Need for Adaptation
Mitigation measures will only slow the changes
  Changes have already occurred - more forecast
  IPCC 4th Assessment Report forecasts
increased frequency & magnitude of: 
 Precipitation & Flooding
 Droughts
 Severe wind intensities (cyclones, hurricanes, etc)
All have significant impacts on Infrastructure
& Communities
  Impacts need to be addressed
 
PES GM2010: CCTSC Panel Session July 26, 2010
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What is Adaptation?
  Adaptation
to CC is any activity that
reduces the negative impacts of CC and/
or takes advantage of the change for
benefit to society/environment.
  Adaptation may be proactive or reactive.
Both may be planned. Reactive can be
spontaneous.
  Planned proactive adaptations will incur
lower long term costs
PES GM2010: CCTSC Panel Session July 26, 2010
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Evidence of Change & Impacts in Canada
Impacts of CC already evident across Canada:
 Glacier Cover – Reduced mass & area
 Snow & Ice Cover – Reduced extent & duration
 Permafrost – Warming & deeper thaw
 Water/flow levels – changes in levels and timing
 Extreme weather – increased frequency & intensity
 Plant productivity – earlier onset & longer season
 Wildlife – Changes in fish species with less cold waters
 Coastal erosion – accelerated on eastern seaboard
PES GM2010: CCTSC Panel Session July 26, 2010
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Major Impacts on Power Systems
 Rising average and peak temperatures
 
 
Impact on equipment/plant ratings & grid security
Changes to demand patterns and peaks
 Extreme weather events
 
 
Increased risk to grid, telecom, & SCC reliability
Emergency response needs and costs increased
 Forest Fires & Floods
 
Increased risks and costs to grid infrastructure
 Changes in Water Levels & Flows
 
Impacts Hydro-electric Generation Production
PES GM2010: CCTSC Panel Session July 26, 2010
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Vulnerability & Adaptive Capacity
  Vulnerability
to CC is degree to which a
system is susceptible but unable to cope
  Adaptive Capacity in Canada is generally
high but is unevenly distributed.
  Thus vulnerability of some regions and
population groups is high.
  Some regions/populations may see
opportunities from adapting to CC
PES GM2010: CCTSC Panel Session July 26, 2010
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Risk Management
  Many
uncertainties in CC, eg: in forecasts of future climate; estimates of
impacts, vulnerabilities & future socioeconomic conditions
  Risk management approaches & controls
help decision makers deal with the
uncertainties associated with CC.
  Essential to develop sound RM strategies
PES GM2010: CCTSC Panel Session July 26, 2010
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Adaptation Measures for Power
 
Power & Energy Sector Adaptation Measures
Examples:
–  “Hardening” grid systems against extreme events
–  Developing grid equipments for extreme environments
–  Coping with changed load patterns & plant ratings
–  Strengthening emergency response & restoration plans
–  Improving back-up telecom & grid control
–  Extending climate monitoring & recording
–  Undergrounding critical circuits and interconnections
–  Revising codes & standards to reflect harsher climates
PES GM2010: CCTSC Panel Session July 26, 2010
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Future Directions
  Barriers
& knowledge gaps to adaptation
actions need to be addressed.
  This includes addressing limitations in
awareness & availability of information
and decision-support tools, eg RM tools
  However existing knowledge and
capabilities is sufficient to undertake
adaptation activities in most situations.
PES GM2010: CCTSC Panel Session July 26, 2010
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Conclusions
 
 
 
 
 
Significant impacts of CC are evident across Canada
and their severity is forecast to increase.
Planning & development of adaptation measures is
both needed and urgent.
Canada has a high capability to adapt and control the
consequences of CC.
Many opportunities for Power Industry to Show
Leadership in Technology & Processes
Power industry & governments must work together to
address barriers and knowledge gaps in adaptive
capacity and reduce impacts of CC by applying sound
risk management strategies & practices.
PES GM2010: CCTSC Panel Session July 26, 2010
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Thanks for Your Attention
Questions ???