Study theme
California provides a grid failure category where the issue is not only loss of electricity supply, but the ability of ageing electrical infrastructure to become an ignition source during drought, high wind and wildfire conditions.
Why it matters
The Camp Fire is a public safety case study for transmission asset condition, wildfire risk, vegetation, utility governance and the operational use of Public Safety Power Shutoffs. It shows that safe grid operation may sometimes require intentional de energisation during high fire risk conditions.
CAL FIRE Camp Fire Incident Page
The November 2018 Camp Fire destroyed Paradise, California and became a major case study in utility infrastructure, wildfire ignition risk and climate exposed grid operation.
https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2018/11/8/camp-fireCAL FIRE Camp Fire Investigation Release
CAL FIRE determined that electrical transmission lines owned and operated by PG&E caused the Camp Fire. This source is useful for studying physical infrastructure failure as a public safety hazard.
https://www.fire.ca.gov/media/5121/campfire_cause.pdfCalifornia Public Utilities Commission Public Safety Power Shutoff Material
Public Safety Power Shutoffs show how operators may intentionally de energise parts of the grid during high fire risk conditions.
https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/wildfires/public-safety-power-shutoffs