Power contracts tend to be long term and inflexible, but persistent drought and climate change affect the range of costs, and hence energy and water management operations and policy. Increased temperatures will increase summer power demand in the Southwest due to higher energy requirements for indoor cooling, agricultural irrigation, and urban outdoor water use. Multi-decade drought will reduce electricity supply reliability and hydropower generation. Water and power costs are likely to increase, leading to increased financial stress for households and businesses and resource management challenges in the water and energy sectors. This research investigates new methods for predicting and adapting to climate impacts linked to the energy sector.
Methods: econometric analysis of climate, weather, socio-demographic and electricity and water use data to improve electricity load forecasts and to assess the implications of misinterpretation of seasonal climate forecasts by water managers
Goals and Outcomes: improve forecasting of electricity loads and integration of climate considerations into electric and water utility planning