Guide to Threats

The identification of threats to the power sector is a key step in planning for a resilient power system. A threat is anything that can, either intentionally or accidentally, damage, destroy, or disrupt the power sector. Threats can be natural, technological, or human caused. Threats are not typically within the control of power system planners and operators. They can include wildfires, hurricanes, storm surges, cyberattacks, and more. Threats can affect many components of the power sector—from generation to transmission and distribution to operations, workforce, and finance. This section introduces the key steps in identifying threats to the power sector: assessing existing conditions, identifying threats, and scoring the likelihoods of threats.