Earlier this year, CISA published the Ten Steps to Resilient Power guide to help emergency and business continuity managers implement the Resilient Power Best Practices for Critical Facilities and Sites. With power outages due to extreme weather on the rise, utilities are encouraged to consider their energy needs to ensure they are prepared for various contingencies.

These Ten Steps of Resilient Power (“Ten Steps”) consist of process-oriented guidelines to help best implement the CISA Resilient Power Best Practices for Critical Facilities and Sites (“RPBP”) using the CISA Resilient Power Assessment Worksheet. The RPBP provides extensive best practices and includes various considerations regarding the guidelines to help protect against short and long-term power outages. These Ten Steps and the RPBP can help infrastructure organizations implement a comprehensive, risk-informed Business Continuity and Continuity of Operations (COOP) resilient power plan. Underlining the importance of energy preparedness, as noted above, a recent study found that power outages from extreme weather events across the U.S. are increasing.

Accordingly, the Ten Steps are flexible and should be tailored to the specific organization often by implementing the highest value improvements first including properly maintaining the fuel and the backup power generation system.

Ten Steps of Resilient Power

1. Identify Lead and Establish Team
2. Write Project Charter
3. Document Requirements
4. Conduct Assessment and Perform Gap Analysis
5. Create Project Management Plan
6. Research Backup Power Solutions
7. Determine Security Mitigations
8. Develop Implementation Plan
9. Update Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Plan
10. Implement Power and O&M Plans

Access the full guide at CISA.

Preparedness and Resilience Information:

To help mitigate potential disruptions from power outages, utilities are encouraged to reassess their electricity needs and take steps to enhance their operational resilience.

In addition to the “Power Resilience Guide,” EPA has created an incident action checklist for power outages and a brochure for tips on generator preparedness. Critical infrastructure organizations can also greatly enhance their power resilience and operate during outages by building a microgrid at their facility. According to a recent article in Water Online, “microgrids can be configured to use existing onsite generation such as diesel generators, but you can also reduce the cost and use of fossil-fuel generators by incorporating renewable energy alternatives.”

A few years ago, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory organized a workshop that identified barriers between sectors and created strategies for increasing coordination and integrated planning between water and electric utilities. That study can be accessed here.

Utilities can also utilize the Interruption Cost Estimate (ICE) Calculator, which helps entities estimate the economic impacts of power interruptions. Furthermore, CISA’s “Resilient Power Best Practices for Critical Facilities and Sites” offers guidance and discusses power resilience in regards to the all-hazards threat landscape. Lastly, utilities can apply for grants, like FEMA’s BRIC program.