UNH Sustainability Fellowship: Unitil Corporation Climate Change Scenario Risk Assessment
Unitil Corporation
Climate Change Scenario Risk Assessment
Exeter, New Hampshire
Remote or option to be hybrid
About the Host Organization:
Unitil Corporation is an interstate electric and natural gas utility company that serves areas in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. Unitil, a small investor-owned utility, was recognized as one of New Hampshire’s Best Companies to Work For and has previously hosted three UNH Sustainability Fellows. In 2019, Unitil released its inaugural Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Report, which laid out our sustainability actions and goals for the next decade. We are currently working towards achieving our 2030 company carbon target, decarbonizing our electric supply, and planning for our region’s diverse climate impacts in the 21st century. In summer 2022, our Sustainability Fellow completed a risk assessment of climate-induced sea-level rise on our physical assets, making a significant contribution to our strategic planning for climate change. As our planning for climate change matures in 2023, we continue to assess additional climate risks and their implications for our physical assets and our customers.
About the Fellowship:
Along with Unitil’s development of its sustainability reporting and carbon emissions accounting, we are evaluating the myriad impacts of climate change on our physical assets in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. As an electric and gas utility delivery company located in a region experiencing significant climate impacts, we are constantly looking to better understand the effects of climate change. This summer, our Fellowship will focus on the impacts of increased mean temperatures and extreme temperature events on our power distribution infrastructure; electric distribution is of specific concern, as we own and operate critical assets that are impacted by temperature changes and are directly responsible for the delivery of reliable and safe energy to our customers.
The goal of this project is to assess multiple scenarios of climate-related mean temperature increases and translate them to a report of impacts on Unitil’s physical assets. The Fellowship will consist primarily of desk research, reviewing similar climate impact reports from peer utilities, public climate data sets and studies, and Unitil’s internal GIS-based asset information. Unitil has previously conducted climate change planning using the IPCC’s Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs), which were created to illustrate climate conditions under different emissions scenarios by the year 2100. Using this framework, the report will describe expected temperature conditions for Unitil’s region under the relevant RCPs and assess their physical implications for our assets. The Fellow will conduct the majority of this research remotely, with opportunities to visit Unitil’s power delivery assets and facilities if they are based in New England. Or, if travel permits, the Fellow should plan for an extended site visit near the in-person midterm of the Fellowship.
Outcomes:
The deliverables of this Fellowship include:
- A report or document detailing Unitil’s at-risk assets due to expected mean temperature increases from climate change.
- The report will include a general discussion of climate-related mean temperature impacts for Unitil’s operating areas according to the IPCC’s Representative Concentration Pathways.
- The report will include a hierarchy of at-risk assets, also considering potential for financial and reputational risk.
- A presentation of findings to the Vice President of Engineering and other Unitil executive team members.
Impact:
Two parts:
- The fellow will gain significant experience with quantitative physical climate risk assessment, specifically related to mean temperature increase and power distribution infrastructure. The Fellow will also have the opportunity for qualitative analysis in the final report, as they translate relevant data into specific implications for Unitil’s strategic planning. As corporate and municipal climate change planning around physical risks increases in necessity, these skills will likely be in greater demand.
- This project builds directly on Unitil’s previous work and commitment to leadership in climate change planning for its customers and communities in New England. To continue to provide safe and reliable energy, Unitil’s approach to climate risks must include a detailed understanding of planning needs and the necessary asset changes or hardening. A stable and hardened electric grid also enables electrification and supports a move towards a reduction in other sector greenhouse gas emissions as renewable electricity comes online. The Fellow will have an excellent opportunity this summer to be a primary contributor to this process. The completed report will be used directly in our planning processes with executive and engineering teams, and will position Unitil with local and national industry leaders planning for climate change and grid resiliency.
Desired Qualifications:
- An academic background in environmental science, engineering, sustainability, or a related field is desired. Coursework or experience with GIS is also ideal, as the Fellow will be working with maps of Unitil assets.
- Experience with climate impacts related to mean temperature increase and/or the IPCC’s Representative Concentration Pathways for climate risk is beneficial.
- Ability to work independently, attention to detail, willingness to collaborate and communicate about climate related topics with multiple departments within an organization.
- Strong technical writing and research skills are a must.
- Interests in grid resilience and climate change in New England will be helpful in preparation of the final report.
Location:
Unitil
30 Energy Way
Exeter, NH
Work will be performed online, with the option of site visits or in-person work at the Fellow’s discretion.
Mentors:
Sara Sankowich, Manager of Forestry and Sustainability
David Larson, Sustainability Impact Analyst