Author: Melissa Stark (Adjunct Professor, Rice University; Senior Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute)

Electricity systems around the world now run on 35% or more wind and solar and they stay reliable.

Reliability, however, under normal conditions is not the same as energy security. Drawing on case studies of four distribution operators: DTEK in wartime Ukraine, SDG&E in fire-prone California, Kit Carson in rural New Mexico, and Western Power in remote Australia, this paper identifies six design features that can make decentralised clean energy systems withstand and recover from crises, from extreme weather to cyber-attacks and war.

This publication is part of the Clean Energy Perspectives on Security and Resilience project supporting the co-creation of technical knowledge on clean energy systems and energy security through building a community of practice bringing together leading experts from across the Global North and Global South. The project is conducted by Climate Strategies in partnership with the Stanley Center for Peace and Security.