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Learn about utility efforts to mitigate wildfire risks in California, including data collection, CPUC response, and analysis of ignition events for effective decision-making.
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Utility Wildfire Risk Mitigation: A California Perspective August 16, 2019 Koko Tomassian, P.E. Sr. Utilities Engineer Safety and Enforcement Division Koko.Tomassian@cpuc.ca.gov
Agenda • Understanding the Problem • The 5 W’s • CPUC Response • CPUC Fire-Threat Map • Utility fire ignition data collection and reporting • Risk-based decision-making framework in GRCs
Before Solving a Problem, We Must First Understand It • Need to get the complete picture • Before discussing “How” to implement effective mitigation measures, we must ask the 5 W’s: • Who? • What? • When? • Where? • Why?
When? • When an ignition occurs is of critical importance • Weather information: • Wind speeds and gusts • Temperature • Humidity • Environmental information: • Fuel load conditions (i.e. fuel moisture content)
Where? • CPUC Fire-Threat Map & High Fire Threat District (HFTD) • Collection & reporting of utility fire ignition data • Incorporation of a risk-based decision making framework in GRCs
Regulatory & Mitigation Efforts in HFTD Areas • Increased vegetation clearance requirements • Increased inspection frequencies and shortened repair timeframes • Utilities targeting conductor and equipment replacement programs to HFTD areas • Weather station installations on circuits in HFTD areas For more information visit: www.cpuc.ca.gov/firethreatmaps
Reporting of Utility Ignition Data • Adopted in 2014 by D.14-02-015 • Reported annually on April 1st by: • PG&E • SCE • SDG&E • Reportable Ignitions: • Utility asset provides heat source for ignition • Self-propagating of material other than utility facility • Travels > 1m from ignition point • Utility has knowledge of fire occurrence • First reports submitted on April 1, 2015, covering the latter half of 2014 • Over 2,500 ignitions reported to-date
Informative Takeaways from Utility Ignition Data Analysis • 75% of ignitions result in fires ≤ 0.25 acres • Only 1% of ignitions result in fires > 1,000 acres • Nearly 97% of all reported ignitions occurred on the distribution system • Over 77% of all reported ignitions occurred in Q2 or Q3
Thank You! For further information related to any information presented today, feel free to contact me at: Koko Tomassian, Sr. Utilities Engineer Safety & Enforcement Division 213-576-7099 Koko.Tomassian@cpuc.ca.gov www.cpuc.ca.gov