Utilities worldwide adopt new technologies and strategies to prepare power grids for extreme weather events

Aug 3, 2026

As extreme weather events increase in frequency and severity, utilities and local governments worldwide are adopting new technologies and strategies to secure power grids and emergency systems. In Brazil, electricity distributors plan to invest R$260 billion by 2030 in grid modernization, while Northwestern Energy utilizes 95 weather stations in Montana to prevent wildfires. Concurrently, Washington State University researchers developed a new planning framework to help utilities evaluate long-term grid resilience investments.

North Kawartha radio tower upgrade

▪The radio tower upgrade at Woodview Fire Station 1 cost approximately $40,000, funded by Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus equipment funds and Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund.
▪Contractors completed an upgrade to the radio tower at Wilson Park / Woodview Fire Station 1 in North Kawartha Township on July 30, 2026.

Utility grid resilience and emergency response

▪Brazilian electricity distributors plan to invest R$260 billion between 2026 and 2030, with approximately 40% earmarked for power grid modernization.
▪Northwestern Energy monitors 18,000 miles of overhead power lines in Montana using 95 weather stations providing real-time wind, temperature, and humidity data.
▪EDP allocated R$10 billion between 2026 and 2030 for São Paulo and Espírito Santo concessions, directing 70% toward grid resilience, automation, and digitalization.
▪Enel performed approximately 650,000 tree-trimming operations in São Paulo in 2025 to mitigate the risk of trees falling onto power lines.

Provincial emergency preparedness grants

▪The Ontario government provided a $50,000 Community Emergency Preparedness Grant each to North Kawartha and Havelock-Belmont-Methuen townships in 2026.
▪The Ontario Community Emergency Preparedness Grant program is distributing $5 million to 115 communities during the 2025-2026 funding cycle.

Township chainsaw equipment training

▪North Kawartha Township purchased chainsaws and protective equipment and expanded training for 50 township staff to clear downed trees after storms.
▪North Kawartha Township staff will clear downed trees and roads during future storms using newly acquired chainsaw equipment and training.

Utility planning tools and technology

▪North Kawartha Township municipal staff discussed the potential development of a county-wide emergency radio system with Peterborough County staff.
▪Washington State University researchers developed a risk-based optimization framework to help utilities translate extreme weather impacts into power grid disruptions.
▪The average number of annual weather events in the United States causing over $1 billion in damages increased from nine in past decades to 23 in the last five years.