PNNL

Abstract

More frequent and severe extreme weather events are one of the main consequences of climate change. Coupled with an aging and frail energy infrastructure, many communities throughout the United States are experiencing more frequent and longer power outages, resulting in economic, health, and social impacts. These effects are not equally felt across communities, with some being disproportionately affected, making it a matter of energy justice. This paper proposes energy storage technologies as a possible solution to address the loss of power and mitigate its impacts, enhancing vulnerable communities’ resilience to climate change. From an energy justice standpoint, programs and policies that facilitate energy storage technologies should be intentionally designed to include distributive, procedural, recognition, and restorative justice.