Transmission Line Fire Hardening Ramping Up in California
California-based San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (SDG&E) is in the process of expanding its network of fire hardening transmission lines across its service territory. This is the just the latest tactic the company has rolled out as part of its $3 billion push to minimize wildfire-caused outages.
SDG&E’s Approach to Fire Hardening Transmission Lines
The company is extremely invested in hardening its infrastructure, evidenced by the fact that it is replacing a whopping 14,000 wooden poles with fire-resistant steel structures. These steel poles are self-supporting and feature expanded-phase spacing to help reduce the effects of wind. Ultimately, the company’s goal is to fire-harden 100% of its transmission infrastructure within the California PUC’s identified high-fire-hazard zones.
Make no mistake, this is a massive effort on SDG&E’s part. The company’s 4,100-square-mile service area contains all kinds of terrain, from deserts to coastline to snow-covered mountains. San Diego is also home to various military bases, representing yet another challenge.
That said, the company seems well-equipped to meet the challenges. According to the article I linked to above, SDG&E is a leader in the U.S. in terms of deploying wildfire-hardening tactics. For example, it operates the largest utility network of weather stations in the U.S. – 220 stations to be exact. The bottom line is, I think the company knows what it’s doing.
Overall, I love the concept of fire hardening transmission lines. Hopefully, other utilities out west are doing the same type of things. As you know, forest fires are not just a California problem – Oregon (see: Bootleg Fire), Nevada, Utah, Washington and other states in the region are also at a high risk. If electric utilities in these areas are not at least looking into tactics for fire hardening their transmission infrastructure, they are doing a disservice to their customers.
