Could rooftop solar panels and storage have enhanced the electricity resilience during Hurricane Isaias (2020)?

Abstract

Hurricanes damage power systems extensively, causing large power outages, critical service disruptions, and major economic losses. Hurricane Isaias (2020) caused more than two million power outages in the U.S. that, in several cases, lasted more than four days. This large-scale electricity loss demonstrated a lack of grid resilience, especially in New Jersey. This paper evaluates the contribution of solar panels and behind-the-meter batteries in microgrids to the resilience of an electricity distribution network, we present a what-if case study for New Jersey during Hurricane Isaias in 2020. We analyze an extensive power outage dataset at the building level for 9,267 households from a large utility company in Marlboro Township, New Jersey, during Hurricane Isaias to determine unserved power demand. We use historical irradiance in New Jersey for the duration of outages during Hurricane Isaias (2020) to determine the potential of solar electricity for resilience. We observe that solar panels on each rooftop would have improved resilience for electric energy in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaias.