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News Release 15-055

Drought, heat likely to affect U.S. West's power grid

Scientists recommend looking at power plants' capacities in view of expected changes

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cracked, dry soil

Expected increases in drought will affect the U.S. power grid, scientists have found.

Credit: USGS


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cars in traffic on a highway

Extreme heat may increase the risk of future power shortages.

Credit: NSF Central Arizona-Phoenix LTER Site


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power plant with a filed of flowers in front

Society depends on agriculture, energy and water availability to prosper, say scientists.

Credit: Creative Commons/Flickr


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power plant and electrical pole

Changing conditions could significantly constrain power plants' energy generation capacities.

Credit: Creative Commons/Flickr/Karsten Hitzschke


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a power plant

Researchers have found that power plants in the U.S. West need to plan for a hotter, drier climate.

Credit: Creative Commons/Flickr


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power plant next to water

As with the American West, the U.S. East's power grid may be vulnerable to climate variability.

Credit: Creative Commons/Flickr


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