Wildfire and Electric Power Infrastructure
In recent years, power systems have experienced damage and disruption due to large fires. In rural areas, wildfires threaten portions of the transmission grid and can, in some cases, threaten the stability of the grid itself. The spread of wildfires into residential/commercial areas can also impact electricity distribution systems and substations. The 2017 Thomas Fire, for example led to widespread customer service disruptions and outages for more than 85,000 customers. Considering the inevitable risks facing the U.S. electricity system due to wildfires, this project addresses the following aspects of wildfires management in power grids a) threat identification, b) robustness, c) resourcefulness, d) rapid recovery, e) adaptability.
