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Overstory's Innovative Approach to Predicting Power Outages and Wildfires

In a groundbreaking development, Overstory, a leading platform for network stability, has unveiled the first AI models capable of forecasting power outages and wildfires with remarkable precision down to the level of individual trees. This significant advancement marks a pivotal shift for utility companies, moving from a reactive 'detect and respond' strategy to a proactive approach focused on prevention.

The Shift Towards Prevention

Utilities are under mounting pressure to safeguard their networks efficiently and effectively, particularly as the frequency of severe storms and wildfires increases. Overstory’s new models, which include capabilities for predicting both outages and wildfire risk, provide operators with essential insights into which trees, shrubs, and infrastructures are most likely to trigger such events. Moreover, these models generate a prioritized list of actions that operators should take before incidents occur, allowing for timely interventions that can prevent costly outages and wildfires.

Real-Time Risk Assessment

One of the standout features of Overstory’s new offering is Overstory Scenarios, which allows utility companies to compare the costs and risk mitigation potential of different resilience programs in real-time. This enables operators to allocate their budgets toward measures that yield the greatest impact on safety and reliability.

Since its inception in 2018, Overstory has developed innovative models that analyze satellite data and aerial imagery to assess tree heights, health, and ground fuel within utility networks. These models, validated by certified arborists and trained on millions of miles of data, offer companies a data-driven perspective on vegetation and fuel risks at every level, right down to individual trees or shrubs. The inclusion of historical incident data and additional factors like asset age and weather patterns allows for more nuanced forecasting.

From Static Maps to Dynamic Planning

Historically, utility managers have relied on static maps and subjective data. Now, Overstory Scenarios transforms this process, enabling dynamic modeling that can adapt to changing conditions and risks. Unlike traditional methods, which may take weeks for analysis, Overstory's models provide immediate insights, revealing where risks lie and how best to mitigate them, effectively maximizing the impact of every dollar spent.

Fiona Spruill, CEO of Overstory, points out, “Utility companies have been tasked with doing more with less for years as storms and wildfires increase in both frequency and severity. What they now need is foresight—the ability to act before a power outage or wildfire occurs. This is precisely what our models enable for the first time.”

With these advanced tools in hand, utility companies can better uphold their long-standing commitment to deliver safe, reliable, and affordable energy to their communities.

Conclusion

As the utility industry undergoes significant transformation, the pressure to manage resources effectively has never been greater. The introduction of Overstory’s AI models signifies a critical evolution in how utilities manage risk and resilience, providing them with the technological edge necessary to protect infrastructure and communities alike.

For more information on Overstory and its innovative solutions, please visit overstory.com.

About Overstory

Overstory is a resilience platform designed for utilities, enabling them to prevent power outages and wildfires through the analysis of vegetation risks and fuel conditions across their networks. Backed by major investors and trusted by six of the ten largest utilities in North America, Overstory aims to empower energy providers to invest wisely in safety and risk mitigation, ensuring the wellbeing of communities.