Multi-Criteria Prioritization of Climate Resilience Strategies for Electric Power Networks

A comprehensive data-driven methodology is proposed to enhance power system resilience by integrating smart-grid technologies with structured decision-support tools. A key contribution of this study is the systematic classification of resilience measures into hard strategies, which strengthen physical infrastructure, and soft strategies that improve system flexibility, adaptability, and recovery capabilities. This distinction enables targeted and effective resilience planning.

The methodological framework is grounded in the High Impact High Frequency (HIHF) concept, prioritizing recurrent, extreme weather events (such as heatwaves, wildfires, floods, snowstorms, and intense winds) over rare catastrophic events typically addressed by High

Impact Low Frequency (HILF) models. Historical meteorological data covering the period from 2020 to 2024 are analyzed to assess regional climate risks across Greece. Machine learning techniques, particularly Gradient Boosting, were applied to identify vulnerable areas and estimate the likelihood and potential impact of extreme events.

To prioritize resilience interventions, the ELECTRE (ELimination Et Choix Traduisant la

REalité) multi-criteria decision-making method was applied to an expanded set of weatherrelated criteria. Both overhead and underground distribution networks were evaluated, considering a range of hard and soft resilience strategies, including infrastructure reinforcement, asset relocation, smart-grid deployment, predictive analytics, and real-time monitoring.

The results demonstrate that optimal resilience strategies are highly region-specific. For instance, undergrounding is prioritized in cyclone-prone coastal areas, whereas smart-grid upgrades and proactive inspections are more effective in regions primarily affected by heatwaves and operational stress. Overall, the ELECTRE rankings highlighted proactive inspections and smart-grid integration as consistently high-performing strategies. At the same time, undergrounding the overhead electrical grid and elevating substations are critical in floodand wind-exposed areas.

The proposed framework supports informed, cost-effective, and risk-aware decision-making by utilitity companies, engineers, and policymakers. Although the case study focused on Greece, the methodology is readily transferable to other regions with appropriate adaptation to local climate and grid characteristics.