POWER July 2023 - 11

O&M
Electric Utility Protocols
Can Mitigate Impacts from
Wildfires
As the frequency and intensity of wildfires
continue to increase across the
U.S., electric utilities face unprecedented
challenges in maintaining a reliable
power supply and keeping communities
safe. In response, these utilities are developing
new operational protocols and
strategies to mitigate the impacts of
wildfires on their infrastructure, and ultimately
their customers.
There are many key initiatives that
can be implemented by electric utilities
to reduce the risk of wildfires caused by
their equipment. Many of these also can
help utilities restore power as quickly as
possible after a wildfire event. From early
detection and prevention techniques to
enhanced emergency response and infrastructure
resilience, utilities are implementing
various initiatives to reduce the
risk of damage from wildfires and ensure
that power remains reliable and resilient.
Early Detection
Utility companies doubtless suffer greatly
from wildfires (Figure 1) due to the
disruptions to service that can result.
But there's another concern, one with
great financial impact. That's when the
cause of a wildfire can be traced to a
company's infrastructure, when equipment
such as power lines, transformers,
or other factors controlled by the power
company are determined to be at fault.
Six of the most-costly recent wildfires
across the U.S. have been attributed to a
utility's equipment. Pacific Gas & Electric
(PG&E) in California filed for bankruptcy
due to wildfires in its service territory,
with the utility eventually reaching a
$13.5 billion settlement with victims.
PG&E still faces some legal issues related
to California fires.
By detecting and responding to wildfires
early, utility companies can significantly
reduce the risk of damage to their
infrastructure and limit the impact on customers.
In addition, early wildfire detection
can help utilities identify potential hazards,
and prioritize maintenance and repair work
to reduce the risk of future fires.
Earlier detection, and steps toward
prevention, are among the most important
aspects of wildfire mitigation for
electric utilities. Companies are increasingly
using a mix of technologies to
monitor weather conditions, and also to
detect fires before they can spread.
For example, in 2018, San Diego Gas
& Electric (SDG&E) deployed a network
of weather stations and cameras to
monitor fire risk in real-time, and provide
early warning to its emergency
response teams. The utility also uses
drones to inspect power lines and detect
potential fire hazards such as vegetation
or equipment damage.
Safety Inspection Programs
As the risk of wildfires continues to increase
across the U.S., many utility companies
are implementing wildfire safety
inspection programs. These programs
involve thoroughly inspecting electrical
equipment to help identify and mitigate
risks associated with wildfires.
Wildfire safety inspection programs
typically involve an in-depth assessment
of electrical equipment and infrastructure
by qualified personnel. The aim is to
identify potential hazards that could lead
to a wildfire and recommend solutions
for reducing the risk. This may include replacing
obsolete equipment, clearing debris
from power lines, clearing trees and
underbrush near transmission lines and
towers, or installing fire barriers around
vulnerable areas.
An example of a successful wildfire
safety program is the California Public Utilities
Commission's Public Safety Power
Shutoff initiative, or PSPS. The program,
first developed in 2012, became more
widely known after devastating wildfires
in 2017 and 2018, including the 2018
Camp Fire, which destroyed more than
19,000 buildings and killed 85 people.
A PSPS is designed to reduce the risk
of wildfires caused by faulty electric infrastructure.
A utility can shut off power to
customers when extreme weather conditions
are present or expected, particularly
in the case of high winds that could cause
the rapid spread of a wildfire.
PG&E has developed a wildfire safety
inspection program that identifies risks,
and supports the inspection and repair of
equipment that might cause a wildfire.
The utility's program includes inspecting
more than 100,000 miles of power
lines, clearing vegetation and debris, and
conducting enhanced inspections during
periods of high fire risk.
In 2022, the Electric Power Research
Institute (EPRI) partnered with Incubatenergy
Labs, a summit and demonstration
program. The partnership is
designed to connect business start-ups
with utility companies, with the aim of
advancement of electrification, decarbonization,
and grid modernization. During
their Incubatenergy Labs Demo Day
in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in October of
last year, fire detection was an important
part of the agenda.
1. Drought conditions in many parts of the world have contributed to massive wildfires that
have caused billions of dollars in damage in recent years. Utility companies are investing in
technologies designed to provide early detection of wildfires, and conditions that could lead to
fires, in their service territories. Courtesy: Dryad Networks
July 2023 | POWER
www.powermag.com
Early detection and prevention techniques
are critical components of electric
utilities' wildfire mitigation strategies. By
investing in advanced monitoring and
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POWER July 2023

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