Weather-Related Risks Impacting Utility Power Shutdowns within the Urban-Wildland Interface

Abstract:

Wildfires present an unprecedented challenge to the resiliency of the nation’s electrical power infrastructure. While less common than lightning or human-caused ignitions, power line fault ignitions have led to highly-destructive wildfires that usually involve high winds and dry fuels along power distribution corridors. The weather and fuel conditions in Utah that may impact decisions to shutdown power within portions of the utility grid are being examined. Observations from in-situ monitoring sites and output from the High Resolution Rapid Refresh operational model have been used to define weather conditions that exacerbate risk within the wildand-urban interface.