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“I think we need to get a better generator”: Household resilience to disruption to power supply during storm events

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  • Ghanem, Dana Abi
  • Mander, Sarah
  • Gough, Clair

Abstract

Electricity is becoming ever more central to the everyday practices of households. As the energy system decarbonises, it is likely that electricity will supply even more services, thereby increasing the dependence of communities on reliable electricity supply. In this situation, the risk of power outages during extreme weather events poses a serious challenge to the safety and wellbeing of communities. However, little is known of the capacity of households to manage normal day-to-day life in such circumstances. This paper focuses on the UK winter storms that occurred in February 2014, the result of which 80,000 homes were left without power and communities not reconnected for several days. We outline the impacts these power outages had on households, describing the challenges faced and the strategies adopted to alleviate impacts. This provides insight into everyday household-level resilience achieved through social and material elements that constitute everyday life.

Suggested Citation

  • Ghanem, Dana Abi & Mander, Sarah & Gough, Clair, 2016. "“I think we need to get a better generator”: Household resilience to disruption to power supply during storm events," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 171-180.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:92:y:2016:i:c:p:171-180
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2016.02.003
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    9. Olausson Pär Magnus, 2019. "Planning for resilience in the case of power shortage: The Swedish STYREL policy," Central European Journal of Public Policy, Sciendo, vol. 13(1), pages 12-22, June.
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    12. Heidenstrøm, Nina & Throne-Holst, Harald, 2020. "“Someone will take care of it”. Households' understanding of their responsibility to prepare for and cope with electricity and ICT infrastructure breakdowns," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    13. Márcio das Chagas Moura & Helder Henrique Lima Diniz & Enrique López Droguett & Beatriz Sales da Cunha & Isis Didier Lins & Vicente Ribeiro Simoni, 2017. "Embedding resilience in the design of the electricity supply for industrial clients," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(11), pages 1-33, November.
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