Eliminating Wildfire Ignition by Power Lines

Learn how electric utilities can reduce or eliminate the risk of electric power lines igniting wildfires. This comprehensive course focuses on critical, actionable updates to procedures that electric utilities can implement as the risk of wildfire increases from low to high and extreme.

Develop strategies to minimize wildfire risk through updated operating procedures, enhanced protective relay applications, improved design and maintenance of transmission and distribution lines, revised automatic reclosing practices and more. The course will also cover the importance of documenting burnable organic materials and peripheral tree areas, as well as boosting workforce wildfire awareness.

During environmental triggers like high winds or low humidity, electric utilities need to initiate enhanced operating procedures. These specific triggers and the corresponding enhanced procedures will be discussed in detail. Participants will also learn about factors that increase the ignition risk of burnable organic materials.

Instructor

Anthony Sleva, PE

Mr. Sleva is President of Prescient Transmission Systems, a consulting company that focuses on innovations that are needed as energy production migrates to carbon free, renewable energy. He is involved with 1.) directing the development of new products and services ... read more

Who Should Attend

This user-friendly course is focused on critical considerations that electric utility professionals and stakeholders, including electric utility executives, coordinators, managers, engineers, designers, linemen, technicians, compliance and regulatory officials (such as NERC and FERC), government agency employees, insurers and fire fighters, will encounter as the risk of wildfires increases from low to high and extreme.

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

• Identify key transmission and distribution line design and operational practices that minimize wildfire risk
• Explain updated protocols and continuous actions that can be implemented to mitigate wildfire risk
• Demonstrate knowledge of dry vegetation ignition and its prevention
• Examine meteorological conditions that heighten wildfire risk and how they impact electric utilities
• Assess the risk levels in your local area based on best practices
• Develop strategies to significantly reduce the risk of wildfires ignited by electric power lines

Course Outline/Topics

• Distribution
• Transmission
• Engineering
• Environment
• Reliability and resiliency
• Risk management