Moscow: A natural testing area for strong warming impact assessment

Abstract

In recent decades, Moscow has experienced the impact of remarkable climate changes on a scale that has significantly exceeded the climate changes in most of the world’s populated regions. Analysis of operation of the Moscow energy system under these new conditions has allowed us to reveal that the climate changes have determined alleviation of energy supply requirements during the cold season, contributed to decreased overall energy consumption, and led to reduced seasonal irregularity of the annual power load schedule. The results of this study allow us to conclude that an increase in the annual-mean temperature by 3–4°C in temperate and cold climate zones for continental regions brings no apparent negative consequences for operation of the energy system.