Contact
You can reach the Policy + Innovation Coordination Group Project Coordinator at:
This Workstream concluded its work in 2020.
Note: By joining the workstream, you will be invited to all the workstream meetings and you will be receiving all the documents related to the workstream.
This meeting will focus on community-focused planning solutions to mitigate PSPS impacts, and understanding lessons learned from community-focused Advanced Energy Community planning efforts around community resiliency and energy assurance.
November 16, 2020, 10 am – 11:30 amPresenters
Vipul Gore (Gridscape Solutions, Inc.) - Presentation Link
Jack Brouwer (UC Irvine) - Presentation Link
Marna Schwartz (City of Berkeley) - Presentation Link
Bob O’Hagan, Frank Wasko (Clean Coalition) - Presentation Link
Video Recording
Workstream members will have an opportunity to present lessons learned from previous RD&D work and deployments of grid modernization investments that are directly applicable to public safety power shutoff events.
December 16, 2020, 10 am – 11:30 amPresenters
Nikky Avila (PG&E) - Presentation Link
Prajwal Gautam (SCE) - Presentation Link
Dr. Ghazal Razeghi (University of California, Irvine) - Presentation Link
Nisha Menon (SDG&E) - Presentation Link
Video Recording
This initiative will identify priority areas in communities where resiliency can be best supported.
Stakeholders will share lessons learned from EPIC projects focused on grid hardening, sectionalization, sensors, monitoring, grid controls and distribution automation.
As a result of Resolution ESRB-8, the electric utilities developed de-energization programs, referred to as "Public Safety Power Shutoffs" (PSPS). PSPS are a preventative measure of last resort if the utility reasonably believes that there is an imminent and significant risk that strong winds may result in vegetation contact with power lines, leading to increased risk of fire. These power shutoff events cause significant disruption to residents, businesses, and critical services, particularly in areas that are served by transmission infrastructure that runs through high-fire risk areas.
While utilities are submitting wildfire mitigation plans, and are accountable for de-energization programs, there is difficulty identifying critical local infrastructure and understanding the impacts of power shutoffs on critical public services and vulnerable populations. Further, there are lessons that could be learned from previous grid modernization investments that have been made, or that could be made, to mitigate and prepare for a future of growing and more impactful wildfire and other public safety high-impact threats.
What were the social and economic disruptions of wildfires or prior PSPS events?
What lessons have been learned from PSPS events?
What are priority areas in communities, particularly in vulnerable communities, where resiliency can be best supported?
How can more real-time information on shutoff events be shared with critical public service providers and communities?
What sensors or situational awareness tools could be used to reduce the frequency, duration, and geographic scope of shutoffs?
What can grid modernization strategies and technologies teach us about what works and what doesn’t work?
How can future grid designs and operating strategies address the growing and more impactful threat of power shutoffs from disasters?
If you would like to submit public comment for consideration as part of the Workstream, email it to us using the link below.
You can reach the Policy + Innovation Coordination Group Project Coordinator at:
