Southern California Edison bolsters wildfire mitigation efforts
Southern California Edison (SEC) updated its 2020-2022 Wildfire Mitigation Plan, looking to further strengthen the grid to withstand fires and extreme weather events.
“SCE’s commitment to keep our communities safe remains steadfast, and our plan this year demonstrates the tangible ways that we continue to make the grid safer and more reliable as we better support our customers,” Jill Anderson, SCE executive vice president of Operations, said. “It includes measures to reduce the frequency and impact of Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). While we only use PSPS as a last resort during extreme weather conditions, we recognize that these outages are difficult, particularly for frequently impacted communities and our most vulnerable customers.”
Since 2018, SCE has reduced the risk of damage from catastrophic wildfires by 65 percent to 70 percent, officials said. The total number of acres burned from wildfires associated with SCE equipment decreased from 128,000 acres in 2020 to less than 500 acres in 2021, despite the drought and extreme wind conditions experienced last year.
The company credits investments in grid hardening, enhanced inspections, expanded vegetation management, and targeted PSPS, among other measures.
As outlined in the 2022 Wildfire Mitigation Plan update, SCE expects to further reduce risk with initiatives designed to reduce the size and scope of PSPS events. One way it will do this is by updating its grid hardening strategy through covered conductor installation, inspection, and vegetation management and potentially expanding the use of undergrounding and additional technology solutions for certain locations that pose high risks.
An emerging technology that has shown promise in reducing the risk of ignition is the Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiter (REFCL). This technology detects a power line that has fallen to the ground and can almost instantly reduce the energy released to the ground. SCE is also exploring the use of artificial intelligence-based technology to detect wildfires. The initiative would use satellite imagery in conjunction with SCE’s high-definition camera network to alert fire agencies about possible fire starts.
SCE will also bolster its aerial fire suppression. Last year, SCE worked with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), Ventura County Fire Department, and other regional agencies to develop a Quick Reaction Force using the world’s largest fire-suppression helicopters. The helitankers can each carry up to 3,000 gallons of water or retardant.
“As the scope and intensity of wildfire season continue to grow, we are proud to seek out partners that are equally committed to innovating new measures that save lives and protect property,” OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy. “Southern California Edison is such a partner, and our gratitude for their support — from the helitankers of our Quick Reaction Force to fire-resistant poles and a vegetation management program — is matched only by the impact of their actions.”
In 2021, the implementation of the wildfire mitigation plan will cost $1.66 billion. SCE expects to spend approximately the same amount this year.
“Our wildfire mitigation work will increase the reliability and climate resilience of the grid,” Anderson said. “These grid upgrades further strengthen a solid foundation for the clean energy transition, supporting the electrification of transportation and buildings needed to meet California’s climate change and air quality goals.”
