Energy infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable to climate-related risks. Extreme weather events such as bushfires, floods, and violent storms are becoming more frequent and severe, impacting the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity globally. Wild winds can knock power pylons out of service, while falling trees and branches disrupt supply to thousands for extended periods. In some areas, networks deliberately deactivate sections of the grid on high fire-risk days to prevent power lines from starting new fires.
Temperature extremes create additional reliability challenges. Higher temperatures reduce the efficiency and output of thermal power stations just as energy demand peaks. Water shortages driven by droughts can halt operations at facilities requiring cooling towers, such as during Queensland’s 2008 drought when 800 MW of coal-fired generation was stopped.
This raises an essential question: How prepared are our communities and industries for the compounding disruptions and economic consequences of power outages, even if they are brief?
For critical systems like fire-fighting pumps, life support, air conditioning, and remote access control, electricity is not just convenient but vital during emergencies.
Resilience calls for reimagining our energy systems from centralised vulnerability to the local strength provided by microgrids.
Imagine electricity generated close to where it’s needed, using renewable local resources. A future where dependence on fossil fuels is eliminated, and communities and businesses are shielded from grid failures. This future is enabled by modern microgrid solutions, offering decentralised, clean, and reliable power generation.
Capricorn Power’s Barton Engine supports this future, engineered for continuous, renewable electricity using local heat sources – without fossil fuels. Designed for on-site installation at medium-sized electricity users, this technology empowers businesses and communities to form resilient microgrids, generate their own power, and reduce reliance on external networks building a decarbonised, future-ready energy infrastructure.
By investing in climate-resilient microgrid designs and distributed generation, communities can safeguard their energy supply, while reducing emissions, and ensure there is reliable access to electricity as the climate continues to pose new challenges.
Get in touch to learn how we can help you safeguard your local energy supply.