Extreme Temperatures and Residential Electricity Reliability: The China Case

Abstract

Climate change is anticipated to influence the electricity reliability through rapidly intensifying extreme weather events. Changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme temperatures can therefore affect the probability of power outage. This study examines the impact of extreme temperatures on electricity reliability. Our major findings are that: (1) Electricity reliability appears more vulnerable to extreme cold temperatures in the early decades of the 21st century, with a shift toward greater sensitivity to high temperatures in more recent periods. (2) Evidence indicates that extreme heat leads to longer and more frequent power outages for rural residents compared to their urban counterparts. The findings provide useful insights for the mitigation and adaption strategies for the electricity sector in response to climate change risks.

Keywords: climate change, extreme temperatures, electricity reliability, power outages