Natural Hazards Phase 3: Volume 12: Hazard Combinations

Abstract:

The Natural Hazards Review project will develop a framework and best practice approach to characterise natural hazards and seek to improve methodologies where current approaches are inefficient. This is to improve energy system infrastructure design and the project is intended to share knowledge of natural hazards across sectors. The project will be completed in three stages. Phase one will focus on a gap analysis. Phase two will look at developing a series of improved methodologies from the gaps identified in phase one, and phase three will demonstrate how to apply these methodologies. Finally, phase 3 will develop a “how to” guide for use by project engineers.

Energy infrastructure, like many other sectors, is vulnerable to natural hazards including severe weather events. The combined impacts of certain combinations of hazards are not always straightforward to predict. For example, if strong winds were to accompany or follow heavy snowfall, the winds may enhance the impact (drifting snow blocking transport routes and building up against the sides of buildings), or reduce it (if the winds remove all of the snow except for the hardiest surface crust).

A large number of combinations of hazards are potentially relevant for the UK energy industry. Nine combinations considered the most important, based on industry needs and gaps in current scientific understanding, were identified at a workshop that included scientists and industry experts.

This technical volume addresses:

• Introduction
• Description of the main phenomena
• Observations, measurement techniques and modelling tools
• Methodologies
• Related phenomena
• Regulation
• Emerging trends; high winds, large waves, heavy rainfall,volcanic ash, space weather, forthcoming climate projections

Publication Year:

2018

Publisher:

ETI

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5286/UKERC.EDC.000625

Author(s):

Electricité de France SA (EDF SA)