Close

Power to cut impact of electricity network damage

A multi-hazard scenario of an Auckland Volcanic Field (AVF) eruption reveals the potential consequences for the local area.

It starts with an AVF unrest scenario and morphs into a month-long hypothetical eruption based on AVF geologic investigations and similar major historical flare-ups from around the world.

In devising a credible sequence, all possible volcanic hazards are included.

In consultation with Civil Defence and Emergency Management staff, a series of pre-evacuation and post-eruption maps are also developed in order to better imagine the consequences.

In this paper, the post-eruption focus is the impact on electricity services, including generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure.

Power diversion, network impact and adaptations, site access and restoration are all integral to being ready and finding solutions. A series of regional maps shows areas with full service, rolling outages, and no power as a result of a major eruption.

Utilising these details, a scenario can help further understand the ramifications of potential urban eruptions on local and regional residents and businesses, highlighting the importance of looking beyond the damage to explore the wider eruption consequences.

Attachments

Investigating the consequences of urban volcanism using a scenario approach I: Development and application of a hypothetical eruption in the Auckland Volcanic Field, New Zealand. Cover
Investigating the consequences of urban volcanism using a scenario approach I: Development and application of a hypothetical eruption in the Auckland Volcanic Field, New Zealand.

Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research

Publication Date: 15/04/2017