PG&E deploys innovative strategies to reduce wildfires
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is deploying innovative and emerging technologies to significantly reduce the risk of wildfires in its service territory.
Specifically, the company reduced the wildfire risk from its equipment by 94 percent in 2023 by using a remotely operated controlled-burn system, next-generation drones, and wireless remote grids, among other solutions.
“Our system has never been safer, and we continue to make it safer every day. We’re prepared with multiple layers of protection and innovative new technologies to mitigate catastrophic wildfires in our hometowns. We want a future where our customers don’t have to choose between safety and reliability—we want both and we are working every day to make that possible,” Sumeet Singh, PG&E executive vice president and chief operating officer, said.
Some of the innovative technologies were on display recently at two PG&E facilities – the San Ramon Valley Conference Center and PG&E’s Applied Technology Services Center, the company’s hub of research, development, and innovation.
Among the technologies on display are novel Ground-Level Distribution Systems (GLDS), powerlines, which are neither suspended from utility poles nor buried underground. Instead, lines are placed inside protected and resilient conduits that rest on the ground. Also, PG&E is exploring moving overhead powerlines to ground level to eliminate ignition risk and enhance grid resilience.
Another solution is a partnership with South San Francisco-based Burnbot, which offers a remotely operated, controlled-burn technology to manage landscapes and burn woody materials onsite to reduce environmental and safety issues associated with controlled burns. PG&E is testing Burnbot as an alternative to traditional land management techniques, such as using herbicides or mowers around its facilities to clear vegetation.
In addition, the company is using automated and beyond visual line-of-sight drone operations in collaboration with San Mateo-based Skydio to help determine how these tools can augment manually operated drone asset inspections.
Also, to enhance local resilience and eliminate fire risk, PG&E recently deployed three new remote grid systems in Tehama and Mariposa counties with several more anticipated for deployment in 2023. Further, there are plans to deploy up to 30 by 2026 in collaboration with Richmond, Calif.-based NewSunRoad.
Among other innovations, PG&E has successfully developed a first-of-its-kind personal backup power transfer meter device for customers that fully integrates into PG&E’s existing electric SmartMeter system.
Finally, PG&E is touting what it calls a Moon Shot for Wildfire Detection. The goal is to detect and suppress a high-risk wildfire in 10 minutes or less and pinpoint all fire ignitions across multiple states or countries from space in 60 seconds. These are the challenges for innovators of XPRIZE Wildfire, a four-year, $11 million competition aimed at developing innovative technologies to improve the detection and suppression of destructive wildfires. PG&E, a co-title sponsor, believes the competition can be a game changer.