SDG&E announces wildfire safety advancements for 2020 wildfire season

SAN DIEGO – Building on its commitment to wildfire safety, San Diego Gas and Electric is implementing new and additional wildfire safety tools and enhancements in 2020 that will help prevent powerline wildfire ignitions and reduce impacts associated with public safety power shut-offs.

Some enhancements were tested early this fire season, by the first set of Santa Ana winds and elevated fire weather conditions last week, and the results were positive.

Enhancements include new physical improvements to SDG&E electrical infrastructure that are targeted to result in a 25-30% reduction in the number of customers impacted by public safety power shut-offs compared to 2019.

SDG&E is utilizing a combination of new strategies, including strategic undergrounding, adding covered conductor and grid reconfiguration to withstand more extreme weather conditions and reduce public safety power shut-offs impacts to affected customers and communities.

“We recognize the impact public safety power shut-offs have on our customers, and we want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to minimize the risk of wildfires and the number of disruptions our customers experience in the future. Simply put, we want to get better and will continue to solicit feedback from affected customers and communities after every fire season,” Caroline Winn, CEO for SDG&E, said. “As a result of conversations over the last year, along with deeper analysis and intense planning, we fast-tracked multiple strategic infrastructure projects aimed at reducing or eliminating customer impacts associated with public safety power shut-offs.”

SDG&E is also rolling out a new mobile application that allows users to receive real-time updates on weather conditions and public safety power shut-offs events. The free app, currently available for download, includes important resource information, provides viewing access to Alert Wildfire cameras and affords the user an opportunity to sign-up for notifications for multiple locations within the SDG&E service territory.

“The creation of this app is the direct result of important feedback we received from our customers and stakeholders and will go a long way in providing timely information that the general public and our customers need in order to help prepare for and navigate through PSPS events,” Winn said.

Additional advancements this year include eight improvements.

Artificial intelligence system enhancements

New artificial intelligence-based predictive models are being used to increase accuracy of weather forecasts and help prevent powerline caused wildfires.

Vegetation management program and risk analysis improvements

SDG&E continues to improve on its vegetation management practices. The team is using new analyses, specifically the Vegetation Risk Index, to identify potential tree-related hazards and address them before they impact the electrical system.

Additional microgrids

To build additional community resiliency, SDG&E is constructing four new microgrids in its service territory. They will be located at the Ramona Air Attack Base, Cameron Corners, Butterfield/Agua Caliente and Shelter Valley. These microgrids will allow communities and critical facilities to remain energized during a public safety power shut-offs.

Enhanced inspections using drones

More than 30,000 poles have been assessed, using drones, in SDG&E’s highest risk areas. SDG&E was the first utility in the state to receive Federal Aviation Association approval for drone use.

Situational awareness enhancements

SDG&E’s weather stations network, the world’s first utility network of its kind, is being expanded and paired with more sectionalizing switches to be even more surgical on only turning off the most endangered communities

Generator program expansion

Medical baseline customers who experienced a public safety power shut-offs in 2019 have been offered a portable generator, and 300 whole house generators are being offered to qualifying customers. Additionally, another 1,000 generators are being significantly subsidized for customers in the highest fire-risk areas.

Advanced protection systems

SDG&E is deploying falling conductor protection which allows for the ability to quickly shut off power to that conductor before it hits the ground. SDG&E has also installed high-speed relays that reduce the amount of energy into a fault and diminish the likelihood of an ignition.

Enhanced partnership with 211 San Diego and Orange County

SDG&E has expanded its partnership with 211 San Diego and Orange County to help disseminate important information about public safety power shut-offs and wildfire safety preparations and help provide resources to affected communities.

Submitted by San Diego Gas and Electric.