The Global Network Resiliency Platform (#REG4COVID) is an initiative from the Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D) to collect information about policy and regulatory measures in the area of ICT from all over the world.
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Regulatory-Market/Pages/REG4COVID.aspx
The Energy and Policy Institute (EPI) in the US is collecting data about which utilities are suspending disconnections as well as public institutions requesting also requesting these suspensions in the US. Energy providers around the world but also within countries, as in the US, have different approaches to the crisis.
https://www.energyandpolicy.org/utilities-disconnect-coronavirus/
Live-Ticker by National Grid USA about Coronavirus and Your National Grid Service - What to Know:
Live-Ticker by provide of news about the Energy sector power-technology.com about the reponse to COVID19 internationally:
https://www.power-technology.com/features/coronavirus-timeline/
The UK Regulator Ofgem answers questions on how to deal with the COVID 19 crisis in the energy sector. For example: what to do if the energy supply is disrupted and how can Smart Meter Installation take place:
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-and-your-energy-supply
The Ministry of Power decided to suspend a hike in electricity tariffs to alliviate the economic suffering of the population during the COVID19 crisis. The increased electricity prices were planned to support the power sector in Nigeria, which is struggling to expand the grids to provide reliable electricity for its 200 million strong population.
California and India are some of the regions taking the lead to ensure the continuation of installations of renewable energy plants by considering them as essential infrastructure.
California: https://calssa.org/covid/2020/3/21/memo-on-essential-service-exemptions
India: https://mnre.gov.in/
Renewables organizations in other countries, like Spain and Australia, are pushing for this move to avoid a great slow-down in the Integration of renewables and to achieve renewables goals.
Spain (site in Spanish): https://unef.es/2020/03/el-sector-fotovoltaico-apuesta-por-la-seguridad-a-la-vez-que-garantiza-el-suministro-energetico/
"Italy’s biggest utility, Enel, does not expect the coronavirus epidemic to have any major impact on its results and says its drive to digitalise operations has given it an advantage."
EPRI has published an analysis of the impact of the crisis on network operations in Italy also offering recommendations of best practices in Europe and the USA.
Non-members can access the presentation by entering their personal details: https://www.epri.com/#/pages/product/000000003002018602/?lang=en-US
The Spanish TSO REE has reinforced ist control centres to ensure the continuity and security of electricity supply.
(Site in Spanish)
"The operators of a Trickbot spam campaign have found a new way to spread their digital infection: by using fears of a biological one. Spam targeting Italian e-mail addresses is playing on fears over the Coronavirus outbreak in that country."
https://news.sophos.com/en-us/2020/03/04/trickbot-campaign-targets-coronavirus-fears-in-italy/
"Electric companies have a strong track record of preparing for many kinds of emergencies that could impact their ability to generate and/or deliver electricity to their customers and the communities they serve. This business continuity planning includes preparing for events such as storms, earthquakes, and other natural disasters; cyber and physical attacks; and “high absenteeism” events that typically involve health emergencies and that could severely limit the number of employees who are able to report to work.
The electric power industry coordinates its efforts to plan for, prepare, and respond to all hazards that could potentially impact the energy grid—including a pandemic—with our partners at the highest levels of government through the CEO-led Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council (ESCC).
Planning for a health emergency, such as a pandemic, is unique from other business continuity planning because it requires businesses to prepare to operate with a significantly smaller workforce, a threatened supply chain, and limited support services for an extended period of time at an unknown date in the future. The business continuity and pandemic plans developed by electric companies are designed to protect the people working for them and to ensure energy operations and infrastructure are supported properly. These measures help to guarantee that companies can continue to provide safe and reliable electricity throughout an emergency.
The following information is designed to present an overview of the pandemic planning efforts undertaken by the electric power industry, as well as federal, state, and local governments; provide an update on current pandemic threats; and offer additional resources where you can learn more about pandemic planning."
About Edison Electric Institute:
The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide electricity for about 220 million Americans, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As a whole, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States. In addition to our U.S. members, EEI has more than 65 international electric companies, with operations in more than 90 countries, as International Members, and hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members.
Organized in 1933, EEI provides public policy leadership, strategic business intelligence, and essential conferences and forums.
