UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Soaring temperatures and increased frequency of heatwaves have changed the way many people use electricity, often leading to higher consumption during the summer months. This trend is likely to continue as climate change progresses and temperatures increase, say researchers. In order to ensure our electricity grid is prepared for these changes, it is important to develop accurate predictive models that account for climate-induced shifts in demand.

To help understand this issue, Renee Obringer, assistant professor of energy and mineral engineering, will give the seminar “Projecting Climate-Induced Shifts in Electricity Demand through Data Analytics,” as part of the spring 2022 Energy of the Future seminar series. Seminar will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 21, in 157 Hosler Building and online via Zoom. The seminar is free and open to the public.

Obringiner will present multiple studies that leverage state-of-the-art data analytics to investigate the impact of climate change on electricity demand, focusing on city-wide demand and even changes based on household-level air conditioning use. According to Obringiner, together, the studies demonstrate the impact climate change is likely to have on both the larger electricity grid, as well as the implications for residents.

“Accurately predicting how our energy systems react to climate change is essential for determining the future of energy,” said FeiFei Shi, assistant professor of energy engineering and committee chair of the seminar series. “With summer around the corner, understanding these shifts is critical to ensuring our electricity infrastructure is prepared, and impactful events like power outages are avoided.”

Obringer is also a faculty associate in the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute. Her research focuses on understanding and evaluating the impact of climate change on urban systems, with an emphasis on water and electricity. Prior to Penn State, Obringer worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center at the University of Maryland. She earned her doctorate in environmental and ecological engineering from Purdue University.