Tuesday, July 9, 2013

EIA Maps: Energy Infrastructure with Real-time Storm Information

Although hurricanes aren't nearly the threat to infrastructure they were ten years ago (North Dakota and Ohio shale production being a long way from the ocean) and although we've gotten off to a slow start this season, here's something Enron used to pay a half-million a year for:

Energy Disruptions
EIA tracks and reports on selected significant storms that impact or could potentially impact energy infrastructure. See past historical events reported on right or real-time storm tracking with energy infrastructure maps below.
 
Here's the press release:
EIA provides new website tool to keep users informed during hurricane season
With peak hurricane season approaching, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is introducing interactive maps that combine real-time data feeds from the National Hurricane Center with more than 20 map layers showing the nation's energy infrastructure and resources. This new tool, available around the clock on the EIA website, allows industry, energy analysts, government decision makers, and the American public to better see and understand the potential impact of a storm.

"This new mapping capability combines detailed energy infrastructure information with real-time tropical storm information from the National Hurricane Center," said EIA Administrator Adam Sieminski. "This is a great example of technology providing better service to the American public."

Every year, hurricanes and other extreme weather events threaten life and property. Hurricanes also affect the nation's energy infrastructure, especially when storm paths traverse offshore production rigs and pipelines in the Gulf of Mexico, coastal refineries, power plants, and energy import and export sites....