Burying power lines is an expensive but highly effective way to curb the risk of utility-caused wildfires, which have devastated towns across California.
As deadly wildfires have destroyed communities from California to Maui, the nation's largest utility, Pacific Gas and Electric, is making headway on its ambitious goal to move 10,000 miles of power lines in fire-prone areas underground, which would greatly reduce ignition risk.
. The utility has undergrounded 350 miles of power lines so far this year, and more than 600 miles since 2021. Since PG&E earns a guaranteed rate of return on capital investments, the utility is inherently incentivized to undertake more expensive infrastructure projects such as undergrounding, explained Morsony and Daniel Kirschen, a professor of power and energy systems at the University of Washington. This is how the utility makes money, not by selling electricity or gas.
"So one option is to essentially just shut down the power line, because if there is no voltage and no current on the line, there is no chance of this release of energy happening and then there is no chance of an ignition," explains Line Roald, an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison whose work includes modeling the risk of wildfire ignition and power outages in the electric grid.in California since 2019, affecting millions of people.
Both proposals would save money but would ultimately put PG&E's 10,000 mile goal in jeopardy. Plus, PG&E says that insulating lines is only about 65% effective at reducing wildfire risk, far less effective than undergrounding.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Why burying power lines is an effective, but very expensive way to prevent wildfiresBurying power lines is an expensive but highly effective way to curb the risk of utility-caused wildfires, which have devastated towns across California.
Weiterlesen »
Why tiny homes will remain part of California’s homelessness equation for yearsTiny homes serve as a middle ground between permanent housing and congregate shelters in California.
Weiterlesen »
Here’s Why We Think The Toyota GRMN Supra Will Get M2, Not M4 PowerHopped-up coupe is rumored to be fitted with the 473 hp engine and manual transmission from the base BMW M3, but might it get the 453 hp M2 motor instead?
Weiterlesen »
Chinese citizen arrested in California for misbranded medical devices, illegal bio labAn arrest has been made in the case of what was a secret Chinese-owned lab in California.
Weiterlesen »
California Gov. Gavin Newsom en route to Israel amid escalating Mid-East tensionsIn a short post on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday, the state's governor said, 'I'm on my way to Israel. I’ll be meeting with those impacted by the horrific…
Weiterlesen »
California Sen. Laphonza Butler, who replaced Dianne Feinstein, won't seek a full term in 2024Newly appointed California Democratic Sen. Laphonza Butler will not seek election to a full term in 2024.
Weiterlesen »