ComEd Climate risk and adaptation outlook, Phase 1: Temperature, heat index, and average wind

This report presents the most up-to-date understanding of how climate change may affect ComEd’s distribution grid and highlights the need for strategies that adapt to future climate conditions. It analyzed temperature, heat index and average wind over a historical (1995-2004) and a mid-century (2045-2054) time period to evaluate future climate impacts for the region. The researchers studied how climate change may affect ComEd’s energy demand and created a map that shows other areas of the country where the present-day climate looks similar to northern Illinois’ projected future climate.

This report provides an initial analysis of several climate variables of interest across ComEd’s service by mid-century, but additional research will be necessary to more completely capture future climate conditions in northern Illinois and determine how they may specifically impact ComEd’s operations. Therefore, Argonne proposes a future research agenda for a Phase 2 project that build upon the studies conducted and summarized in this initial Phase 1 report.