Improving Weather Forecasting to Better Predict and Respond to Weather Threats, PG&E Has Installed More Than 200 New Weather Stations This Year

Rhea-AI Summary

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has expanded its network of weather stations across Northern and Central California, now totaling over 1,200 installations. With more than 200 new stations added this year, PG&E aims to improve its safety measures during Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events. The stations collect critical data such as temperature and wind speed, aiding meteorologists in predicting severe weather and enhancing operational planning. PG&E plans to reach 1,300 stations by the end of 2021, bolstering its wildfire safety initiatives.

Positive

• Installation of over 1,200 weather stations enhances operational planning for severe weather.
• More than 200 new weather stations added in 2021, promoting safety during PSPS events.
• Data collection from stations improves predictive capabilities for wildfire risks.

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• None.

More than 1,200 weather stations are now installed across Northern and Central California

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- With an ever-expanding network of weather stations across its service area, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is positioned to refine the scope of Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events and prepare for increasingly common severe weather events.

PG&E installs weather stations across Northern and Central California (Photo: Business Wire)

More than 200 new weather stations have been installed this year alone. PG&E plans to have a total of 1,300 by the end of 2021. This will equip the company with one weather station for every 20-line miles of electric distribution circuits within Tier 2 and Tier 3 High Fire-Threat Districts, as designated by the California Public Utilities Commission.

Data captured by the weather stations such as temperature, wind speed and humidity levels help PG&E meteorologists evaluate where severe weather may be headed and inform utility operational planning. During a PSPS, PG&E turns off specific power lines, based on severe weather conditions, for public safety. This is to prevent tree branches and other debris from contacting energized power lines.

“We know that losing power disrupts lives, especially for our customers with medical needs. That is why we are finding ways to reduce the impact of PSPS events without compromising safety. The sole focus of a PSPS is to keep our customers safe,” said Mark Quinlan, Vice President of PSPS Operations and Execution.

Since 2018, PG&E has installed more than 1,200 weather stations mostly across high fire-threat areas in Northern and Central California.

“Observations from the weather stations contribute to the improvement of our predictive capabilities for PSPS events. We now have a historical database of these observations, many in remote areas where we have never had this level of detailed data before, and it is now used to help fine-tune our models to better predict when critical fire weather conditions may occur,” said Ashley Helmetag, Senior PG&E Meteorologist. “As the model is improved, the forecast becomes more accurate, allowing meteorologists to limit the scope of PSPS events to the areas where the riskiest fire weather conditions are expected, and to do so with higher confidence.”

These 200 new weather stations across PG&E’s service territory are now sending hyperlocal data not only to PG&E meteorologists, but also to analysts and experts in PG&E’s Wildfire Safety Operations Center (WSOC). The WSOC is the hub where PG&E detects, evaluates, monitors, and responds to wildfire threats across its service area.

The information from these stations is also viewable by the public at pge.com/weather and is combined with other weather station information and shared with partners through MesoWest.

Weather stations are just one part of PG&E’s Community Wildfire Safety Program. The program also includes the installation of hundreds of sectionalizing devices to break the grid into smaller pieces and hardening hundreds of miles of lines, poles, and other infrastructure to reduce wildfire risk and lessen the effects of PSPS events on customers.

Coupled with PG&E’s growing network of weather data, temporary generation and microgrids, these tools and technologies helped keep the lights on for hundreds of thousands of customers during the PSPS events in 2020, as compared to those events in 2019.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210824005598/en/

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415-973-5930

Source: Pacific Gas and Electric Company

FAQ

What recent developments has PG&E made regarding weather stations in California?

PG&E has installed over 1,200 weather stations across Northern and Central California, with more than 200 added this year to enhance safety during PSPS events.

How does PG&E's network of weather stations impact Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events?

The weather stations provide crucial weather data that helps PG&E better predict severe weather conditions, allowing for more targeted PSPS events.

What are PG&E's plans for expanding its weather station network?

PG&E plans to have a total of 1,300 weather stations installed by the end of 2021, improving safety measures in high fire-threat areas.

How does PG&E ensure customer safety during severe weather?

PG&E uses data from its weather stations to inform operational planning and reduce the impact of PSPS events, keeping customers informed and safe.