Cold Temperature Extremes in Russia and Risks of Critical Temperature Impacts on Infrastructure Facilities

Abstract

The features of changes and variability for cold temperature extremes over Russia are analyzed using observational data for the period from the middle of the 20th century. The impact is assessed that observed changes in thermal regime make on the characteristics of rare extremes which are used as standard parameters for designing infrastructure facilities. The results are interpreted in terms of the power system operation reliability. The risk assessment for critical temperature impacts indicates the important regional features of climate change effect on extreme energy loads and requirements for power capacities during the cold season.