Smart Tech Strengthens Wildfire Safety
Southern California Edison is deploying cutting-edge solutions — from AI-powered inspections and real-time weather tracking to smart grid upgrades — to help prevent wildfires, improve system reliability and safeguard the people and places we serve.
Equipment Inspections
We inspect overhead transmission, distribution and generation equipment in high fire risk areas from both the ground and air (using drones and/or helicopters) for any needed maintenance, repair or replacement. We prioritize our highest-risk equipment and make additional inspections where dry fuels and strong winds pose an increased risk of fire during the summer and fall.
Improved Monitoring and Risk Assessment
Monitoring real-time weather and ground conditions is one of the ways we can better predict wildfire risks. State-of-the-art, high-resolution weather modeling augmented by artificial intelligence (AI) improves forecast accuracy with resolution down to less than one mile and is monitored daily. We have increased our computing power to model the atmosphere at a higher resolution, producing more granular weather forecasts for enhanced PSPS decision-making.
We use satellite imagery in conjunction with our high-definition camera system at ALERTCalifornia and can notify fire agencies about possible ignitions. Approximately 200 cameras that provide thorough visibility to monitor wildfire conditions have been installed in high fire risk areas. The cameras pan, tilt and zoom, and perform 360-degree sweeps approximately every minute. They are also equipped with artificial intelligence capabilities to improve forecast accuracy and detect the presence of a wildfire.
- Weather Stations: 1,950+ installed
Enhanced Technology Driving Safety
We are preparing new and expanded tools and methodologies to improve safety, reliability and efficiency. Highlights include:
- Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiter: Immediately detects ground faults and reduces voltage when a line contacts the ground, while maintaining service through remaining lines for customers.
- AI and Machine Learning Detection: Advanced models to improve grid inspections and identify maintenance needs, with faster, more accurate diagnostics and enhanced quality control.
- Vegetation Management via Remote Sensing: LiDAR and satellite imagery for precise, proactive and effective vegetation monitoring and management to help prevent ignitions.
- Early Fault Detection Expansion: Add 200 new locations to the grid “health monitoring” system, helping in early detection of equipment failure.
New Technologies and Innovation with Safety in Mind
- 5G Field Area Network: Enables quicker fault detection, automation of grid protection and monitoring by simultaneous connection to more devices.
- 3D Interactive Vegetation Management Models: Creates AI models to predict and address potential vegetation issues, enhances accuracy and efficiency of vegetation inspections.
- AI and Data Analytics for Inspections: AI integration optimizes planning and scheduling. AI-enabled inspections result in reduction of time per structure and manual review.
