California PUC orders large electric utilities to hasten microgrid, resiliency projects as wildfire season looms

As the threat of wildfires returned to California, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) ordered large electric investor-owned utilities to hurry deployment of microgrids and resiliency projects meant to minimize the impact of power outages.

In a new decision, the Commission ordered utilities to streamline and speed interconnection processes for microgrids, resiliency and similar projects, and work with both local and tribal governments to see them realized. Urgency was added to the order by last year’s public safety power shutoffs around California that attempted to prevent electrical equipment from kickstarting wildfires during strong wind events.

“Our Decision today ensures that utilities expedite deployment of back-up power for their customers that can be used if a utility calls a PSPS event,” CPUC President Marybel Batjer said. “The use of microgrids, coupled with the CPUC’s work to hold utilities accountable for creating and implementing wildfire mitigation plans, will help make communities more resilient in advance of the 2020 Wildfire season.”

Under the new decision, utilities must standardize the application processes for project approvals, expedite sign-off on installed projects, speed interconnection through increased staffing, alter tariffs to put more value on resiliency, and amplify their collaborative efforts with local and tribal governments.

Specifically, Pacific Gas and Electric Company was also approved to upgrade substations, obtain temporary, portable generators for use at substations during the wildfire season, and provide utility technical and financial support for community-proposed microgrids. San Diego Gas & Electric also received approval for the implementation of new software and hardware technology meant to enhance its microgrids and allow interoperation with its existing advanced distribution management system and microgrid projects.