A Sensitivity Framework to Assess the Impact of Weather on Electric Power Networks

This manuscript provides an analytical sensitivity framework to assess the impacts of individual weather parameters on conductor temperature and to determine the weather parameters that have greater potential to impact power networks and hence power system studies, which can be applied to any region around the globe. Application to weather parameter ranges possible across all of New Zealand (NZ) shows that the conductor temperature and hence the power network is most sensitive to the wind speed followed by the wind angle, and the solar irradiance, when paired with the ambient temperature. The sensitivity analysis framework is expected to aid utilities in assessing the region-specific impact of weather parameters on their network and hence improving their planning, operation, and analysis.