SAN DIEGO, Aug. 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- San Diego Gas &
Electric (SDG&E), a recognized industry leader in wildfire
safety, unveiled its wildfire mitigation and resiliency
advancements in preparation for this year's wildfire
season. The advancements continue a decade-long commitment to
strengthening the region against a dynamic climate that has brought
on unprecedented high fire-threat conditions in recent
years.
Infrastructure and technological enhancements continue to play a
fundamental role in limiting the potential risk of utility-related
wildfires and mitigating the impacts experienced during a
Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). As a result of this year's
resiliency efforts like strategic undergrounding and an expanded
generator grant program, SDG&E estimates that nearly
11,000 additional customers could benefit from reduced PSPS
impacts, depending on the weather events experienced this year. In
addition to building regional resiliency, this year's growth in
clean technology also contributes to the company's sustainability
goals.
"Nothing is more important than the continued safety and
well-being of the communities we serve, as well as the preservation
of our environment," said Caroline
Winn, chief executive officer for SDG&E. "We are working
tirelessly to integrate new, innovative technologies to
significantly decrease the PSPS impacts experienced by our
customers and reduce utility-related wildfire risk, while
also forging a path towards a more sustainable
future."
A wildfire risk analysis report published this year by the
California Public Utilities Commissions Safety and Enforcement
Division and conducted by Technosylva Inc. found that
Public Safety Power Shutoffs carried out by SDG&E between October 10 and November 1,
2019, possibly prevented utility-related wildfires which
could have had the potential to affect up to 34,471 people, damage
35,112 buildings and burn approximately 327,277 acres. The analysis
examined 13 damage incidents identified by SDG&E
using Technosylva's Wildfire Analyst™ software, which
provides a real-time analysis of wildfire behavior and a
model simulation of potential wildfires based
on multiple factors, including local topographic
characteristics, weather factors, surface fuel types and
vegetation moisture.
In addition to Public Safety Power Shutoffs and robust
wildfire mitigation programs, advanced clean technology is a
critical component of SDG&E's resiliency efforts throughout the
High Fire-Threat District (HFTD). Leading the way in this
effort is a state-of-the art flow battery that will be integrated
into the Cameron Corners microgrid to keep critical facilities and
customers energized during a power shutoff. The flow battery will
help store clean energy produced by local solar panels to help
limit emissions and build greater regional
resiliency.
SDG&E is also piloting a cutting-edge mobile power station
to help support the needs of customers impacted by a PSPS. The
mobile power station is a unique four-wheel drive vehicle with a
500kW set of lithium-ion batteries that will help keep critical
customers energized during a power shutoff. The mobile clean-energy
solution will also include charging ports for clean energy
vehicles.
Additional enhancements and advancements this year
include:
- Private Communications Network
A new
private communications network is under development to support
advanced protection systems, like falling conductor protection and
high-speed relays, and enable more
efficient system communications.
- Enhanced Infrastructure Hardening
More than 150
miles of overhead lines are planned to be hardened in 2021.
Additionally, 25 miles of lines will be strategically undergrounded
to help keep communities and critical customers energized during a
power shutoff.
- Virtual Reality (VR) Training
SDG&E is
launching a VR training program to help field workers run through
different scenarios and learn how to quickly identify and
efficiently respond to issues they may encounter in the field,
including addressing potential wildfire risks.
- Weather and Situational Awareness
Advancements
SDG&E is updating its weather network and
will become the first in the state to include cameras that measure
chlorophyl in vegetation and sensors that measure moisture content
in brush. The network will also leverage the latest remote sensing
capabilities of satellites to detect, alert and monitor wildfire
activity from space. SDG&E also continues to use
drones to evaluate the condition of our overhead
electric distribution lines and equipment and
other infrastructure in the highest fire threat
areas.
- Generator Program Expansion
Medical Baseline
customers who experienced a Public Safety Power Shutoff in 2020
have received or are being offered a portable renewable generator
for future energy needs. Customers in the areas at
greatest risk for wildfire have also been offered additional
generator rebates.
- Expanded Community Partnerships
SDG&E has
expanded its community partnership network with 2-1-1 San Diego and 2-1-1 Orange County, the American Red Cross, and the
Inter-Tribal Long Term Recovery Foundation to disseminate critical
wildfire preparedness information and helpful customer resources
during a PSPS.
For SDG&E soundbites and b-roll,
please click here.
SDG&E is an innovative San
Diego-based energy company that provides clean, safe and
reliable energy to better the lives of the people it serves in
San Diego and southern
Orange counties. The company is
committed to creating a sustainable future by currently providing
around 45 percent of its electricity from renewable sources;
modernizing natural gas pipelines; accelerating the adoption of
electric vehicles; supporting numerous non-profit partners; and,
investing in innovative technologies to ensure the reliable
operation of the region's infrastructure for generations to come.
SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), an energy
services holding company based in San Diego. For more information, visit
SDGEnews.com or connect with SDG&E
on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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SOURCE SDG&E