Naturgy Foundation has presented the study “Study of the resilience of energy infrastructures in the face of extreme climate events”prepared by the University Research Institute of Energy Engineering of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), a document that analyzes the growing risks associated with climate change and proposes solutions to reinforce the security and continuity of the energy supply.
The report highlights that the increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events forces us to rethink the design, maintenance and operation of energy infrastructure. In this new context, guaranteeing continuity of supply no longer depends solely on repairing damage, but on anticipating it, adapting networks and strengthening the system’s recovery capacity.
The analysis highlights the essential role of energy in modern society, especially in emergency situations, where it is essential to guarantee the operation of critical services such as hospitals, communication systems, transportation or coordination centers. The interruption of energy supply in these contexts has direct consequences on safety, health and economic activity, which reinforces the importance of having infrastructure prepared to resist and recover from extreme events.
Among the main conclusions, the study indicates that energy resilience must be addressed from a comprehensive approach that combines anticipation, investment and coordination. The digitalization of networks, the development of monitoring and early warning systems, the diversification of energy sources and the incorporation of storage solutions are key elements to improve the system’s response capacity.
Likewise, the document highlights the importance of adapting the design of infrastructure to the areas most prone to possible flooding with the structural reinforcement of facilities or the selective burying of lines. These actions require relevant investments, but are considered a priority to reduce future impacts and guarantee continuity of supply.
The DANA of 2024
The study takes as reference the DANA that affected the Valencian Community in October 2024, an episode that, in addition to causing irreparable losses in human terms, caused serious material damage, affected thousands of infrastructures and had a significant economic impact, highlighting the need to move towards more resilient energy systems.
During the emergency, energy infrastructures were subjected to high demands. In the electrical field, the impact was significant, with more than 173,000 homes without supply and more than 500 transformation centers damaged. However, the study points out the quick action of the operators that allowed the service to be restored to 99% in less than 72 hours. In parallel, the gas infrastructure operated with a high degree of solidity. Although the supply was preventively interrupted to more than 24,000 homes, the service was completely recovered within three weeks, guaranteeing the security of the system at all times.
In the presentation of the study, Raúl Mérida, Commissioner for the Recovery of the Generalitat Valenciana, recalled the serious damage suffered during the DANA to energy infrastructures, which even caused the disconnection of the Valencian Community from the national grid. “One of the lessons we draw is the need to increase our resilience. For this reason, we promote initiatives such as the digital twin and the Mediterranean Center for Climate Intelligence, which will allow us to convert meteorological data into useful tools through artificial intelligence.”
For her part, Débora Domingo-Calabuig, vice-rector of Sustainable Development of the Campuses of the Polytechnic University of Valencia, pointed out the importance of having science “essential to anticipate risks, guide decisions and respond to both immediate emergencies and complex challenges such as climate change.”
For his part, Manuel Argüelles, general director of Energy and Mines, of the Valencian Generalitat, pointed out that “After the floods, some 500,000 people were left without supply; in just 3 days it had recovered to 95%. The additional problem was the unusable electrical panels on ground floors, which forced us to invest almost two million euros in repairing them, to guarantee that all citizens could have electricity in their homes.
José Antonio Mata, Nedgia’s Operations delegate in the Valencian Community highlighted the resilience and response capacity of “Nedgia’s networks, a solidity that is the result of years of investment, planning and knowledge of the territory.”
For his part, Ignacio Garcia Bosch, head of the Iberdrola Group, emphasized the “exemplary behavior of the electrical infrastructure and the speed in its replacement. The experience also serves to further improve protection.”
In his speech, Tomás Gómez, professor at the Institute of Energy Engineering of the Polytechnic University of Valencia, stated that “The resilience of infrastructure is notable, but in the face of increasingly extreme phenomena, the best resilient infrastructure is the one that anticipates, adapts and recovers quickly.”
Manuel Calvo, head of Energy and Environment at the Naturgy Foundation – at the closing of the report presentation – highlighted that “Climate change forces us to accelerate the adaptation of the energy system. Preparation, coordination and investment are key to protecting society and reinforcing energy security.”