Extreme heat is becoming more common, leading to multi-day power outages that make air conditioning ineffective. The demand for air conditioning is expected to triple worldwide by 2050 as global temperatures rise. However, without electricity, people cannot use their air conditioners, causing strain on power grids that are already struggling due to extreme weather events.
For example, Hurricane Ida in August 2021 left more than a million people in Louisiana without power, followed by a heat wave with temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This combination of storms, heat waves, and power outages is a growing concern as the planet warms, leading to more destructive weather patterns.
Weather-related issues cause 80% of major power outages in the U.S., according to a study by Climate Central. The aging power grid is not equipped to handle the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, such as storms and heat waves, which can overload the system and lead to blackouts.
The number of major power outages in the U.S. has doubled from 2017 to 2020, with an increase in outages during the summer months. Heat waves, like the one experienced in the Pacific Northwest in 2021, can lead to rolling blackouts as demand for electricity spikes due to the need for air conditioning.
The impact of heat waves accompanied by multi-day power outages can be severe, with significant health risks due to heat-related illnesses. In cities like Phoenix, where extreme heat is already a challenge, power outages during a heat wave could lead to hospitalizations and deaths.
While some energy companies are working to prevent large-scale outages and maintain their grids, the risk of multi-day outages during heat waves remains a possibility. Taking action to reduce pollution and address climate change is seen as the best long-term defense against extreme heat and weather-related power outages.