#USA #PG&E #XPRIZE #San Ramon, California #wildfire safety

PG&E's Commitment to Wildfire Prevention in 2025

As wildfire risks continue to escalate with changing climate conditions, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has stepped up its commitment to ensuring that its infrastructure and operational strategies are prepared for the upcoming 2025 wildfire season. Utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, PG&E aims to enhance its wildfire prevention measures and reduce ignition risks in its service area. In a recent showcase at PG&E's Applied Technology Services laboratory, the utility company highlighted its initiatives that have already shown success in mitigating wildfire threats in 2023 and 2024.

Layers of Protection

Advanced Monitoring Technologies

PG&E has embraced advanced monitoring technologies to oversee wildfire conditions proactively. This includes the deployment of nearly 1,600 weather stations across California, with 1,400 of them equipped with AI capabilities, along with over 650 high-definition wildfire cameras. These cameras utilize AI to process data, leading to more informed and timely wildfire notifications, thus enabling rapid responses to emerging threats.

Powerline Safety Enhancements

To combat the ignition risks associated with powerlines, PG&E has adopted a multi-faceted approach:

• - Undergrounding Powerlines: Since 2021, PG&E has undergrounded approximately 915 miles of powerlines, with plans to increase this to nearly 1,600 miles by 2026. This initiative effectively eliminates ignition risks from overhead lines in high fire-prone areas.
• - Upgraded Overhead Systems: The installation of strengthened poles and covered powerlines aims to reduce ignition risks by about 67%. Over 1,430 miles of upgrades have been completed since 2018, with a goal of reaching nearly 1,900 miles by the end of 2026.
• - Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS): This feature automatically turns off power instantly upon detecting potential wildfire hazards. In 2024 alone, these measures led to a 65% reduction in reportable ignitions, protecting 1.8 million customers in fire-prone areas.

Vegetation Management and Drone Surveillance

PG&E's comprehensive vegetation management program is critical to minimizing fire risks. Utilizing data-driven risk assessments, over 960,000 trees have been inspected, trimmed, or removed in the past five years. Additionally, drone technology has been employed for efficient inspections, providing aerial views of assets, which plays a critical role in readiness for fire conditions.

Proactive Public Safety Measures

In extreme circumstances, PG&E may implement Public Safety Power Shutoffs as a last resort. The technology utilized for these measures is based on sophisticated weather models that predict wildfire risks, allowing PG&E to strategically de-energize circuits to prevent catastrophic fires while ensuring public safety remains a priority.

Innovations in Firefighting Technology

The partnership with XPRIZE Wildfire serves as a pivotal aspect of PG&E's forward-looking vision. This initiative encourages innovation among teams globally to develop firefighting technologies that enhance detection and suppression capabilities. Participants have been tasked with addressing the complexities of fire management in an era defined by climate challenges.

Local teams such as Ember Guard and Rain are taking significant strides in this competition. Ember Guard focuses on utilizing machine learning to create predictive models of wildfire spread, helping firefighters deploy resources more effectively. Meanwhile, Rain demonstrates the use of autonomous technology in firefighting through impressive drone and helicopter demonstrations. These advancements highlight how cutting-edge innovations can transform wildfire management.

Building a Resilient Future

With the fire season growing increasingly unpredictable, PG&E is committed to combining innovation with established safety practices to protect communities from the threats posed by wildfires. The overall goal is not just to respond to conditions, but to actively reinvent wildfire prevention strategies, positioning PG&E as a leader in wildfire resilience. The utility highlights, "Our proactive measures are essential in light of extreme weather and extended wildfire seasons."

For more information on PG&E's wildfire measures, visit pge.com/wildfiresafety.

Conclusion

As we approach the critical wildfire season, PG&E's comprehensive efforts underscore the importance of preparedness and innovation in wildfire prevention. Collaborations with teams like XPRIZE and continuous improvements in technology will play key roles in safeguarding communities and mitigating the risks associated with wildfires.