Gridware’s Post

Xcel Energy filed an updated Wildfire Mitigation Plan with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission last week that proposes $1.9 billion in spending on a variety of wildfire prevention measures, including the undergrounding of some power lines. Robert Walton reports for Utility Dive. “Our goal is to ensure that no catastrophic wildfire is started by Xcel Energy assets. And, while we’ve made significant wildfire safety progress in Colorado and achieved key goals, there is still work to be done to meet the evolving threat,” Bob Frenzel, president and CEO of Xcel, said in a statement. #powerdelivery #undergrounding #powerlines #gridhardening #gridresilience #wildfireprevention https://lnkd.in/dDb4CXge

This recent gas pipeline incident in Yellowhead County demonstrates how essential technology is in enhancing asset integrity and safety. Modern technological solutions can offer real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance, helping to detect and address potential issues before they lead to severe incidents. Implementing advanced analytics and automation can significantly improve response times and emergency decision-making, thus safeguarding the environment, public safety, and operational continuity in the energy sector. #operationalexcellence #oilandgas #albertaenergy https://lnkd.in/g6Nj6Unt

The utilities are embracing the cutting edge technologies that can make a real difference in wildfire detection and prevention. The Gridware and Delphire technologies mentioned, in this very comprehensive guidebook produced by PG&E, are making an impact that will save humanity billions in disaster prevention. All utilities should be looking at these technologies. Wildfire is not limited to California as the good people of Texas realized in February.

EZ Ops offers real-time data analytics to detect anomalies and predict equipment failures before they occur, potentially preventing incidents. Additionally, it helps coordinate response efforts by streamlining communication between field operators, emergency responders, and management teams, ensuring swift and effective action to mitigate risks. Because operating by exception starts with prevention, at EZ Ops, We equip oil and gas producers with the tools necessary to pioneer a safer, more reliable future. #operationalexcellence #albertaenergy #oilandgas

Two recent news pieces have highlighted the challenges facing Western energy grids. Uncontrolled wildfires are making investment risk too high in these asset classes. This issue has been brought to light by a recent Reuters article, which notes that Warren Buffet has put $1 trillion towards addressing the grid problem by 2024. https://lnkd.in/eEgB7tPV Additionally, NBC News reports that Xcel Energy facilities may have started the largest Texas wildfire in state history. I#energy #grid #wildfires #investment #risk

Thank you to Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) for hosting a first conference on Near-Term Wildfire Mitigation Strategies! The Guidebook for Utilities shared during this event is a fantastic resource to better understand some of the technologies and data being implemented to keep our communities safe. Delphire Inc is honored to be featured in the guidebook as one of two emerging technologies alongside Gridware; and other organizations dedicated to reducing the impact of wildfires like our collaborators at Watch Duty, Technosylva, the San Jose State University Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center and ALERTWest! This recognition underscores our joint commitment to advancing industry standards and collaboration brought together by the ultimate goal of making our communities safer. It was great to see over 40 utilities, including from Chile, join to understand how the California Utilities (San Diego Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison (SCE) and PG&E) have tackled this wildfire risk challenge, and what lessons they have learned along the way. The shared insights from a collective effort of the utilities together with an entire industry is enhancing customer safety and reducing wildfire risks. We look forward to establishing collaborations with more innovative utilities and other solutions to bring together a network of technologies that can keep our communities safe. #wildfire #WildfireMitigation #FireSafe #UtilityInnovation  Patti Poppe Andrew Abranches Sumeet Singh, P.E. 

Oil/Gas Pipelines ALWAYS fail. Disasterously. Stop thinking building another one will "create jobs", "lower fuel costs" or "decrease foreign dependency"- It'll contaminate Earth, usurp private property and enrich Globalists. WE have better #Solutions! Better than windmills and solar panels. Think creatively, we've solved this already. #MicroGrid #Sustainability #StarveTheBeast #EarthAlliance #decentralized The Latest: Oil pipeline spills at sea https://lnkd.in/esaciKJs Earlier this year, 2023 Flaming gas pipeline in Virginia https://lnkd.in/eGfcnuJ2 Flaming gas pipeline in Alabama https://lnkd.in/erqYGR8N

"The Alliance, along with the Panhandle Producers and Royalty Owners Association (PPROA), are grateful to the senior staff of the Railroad Commission of Texas for taking the time to engage with Panhandle operators concerning the wildfires in the region and their potential impacts to oil and gas operations. Incredibly, most operators reported very little impact to production from the fires that have ravaged the region in recent weeks. While the recent fires are the largest and most damaging, they are not the first, and oil and gas operators are accustomed to making sure well sites and facilities are prepared for that eventuality." Karr Ingham, Alliance Interim President https://lnkd.in/gVmtD5cV Picture: Gas Well in Carson County, Texas Panhandle, which had no damage from the wildfires. See TXRRC announcement for more details. #oil #petroleum #energy #oilandgas #natgas #txenergy #naturalgas #texaswildfires #panhandle

Xcel Energy has publicly acknowledged its involvement in the 𝐒𝐦𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞, Texas’ largest wildfire in history, which has devastated over 1 million acres. The company, while cooperating with investigations and conducting its review, disputes claims of negligence in maintaining its infrastructure. The acknowledgment comes amid lawsuits filed by homeowners and a businessman claiming damage to property and land due to the company's alleged failure to maintain power lines. Xcel Energy has urged those with property or livestock losses to submit claims through their process. Investigations into the fire's origin, cause, and damage are ongoing, with Xcel working alongside emergency responders to assist affected individuals. Legal actions are intensifying, with calls for increased oversight of utility companies to prevent such disasters in the future, highlighting the broader implications for corporate responsibility and infrastructure management in vulnerable areas. This incident underscores the critical need for stringent maintenance and oversight practices within the energy sector, especially in regions prone to natural disasters. It also sets a precedent for how companies acknowledge and respond to their role in such events, potentially shaping future regulatory and operational standards. https://lnkd.in/g22RxZne

Our hearts go out to our fellow Texans in the panhandle. Wondering about the near term and long-termimplications for utility-scale energy generation from wind, solar and battery. How could projects and communities adopt preventative wildfire measures in design, construction operations and maintenance? Could we borrow a page from California’s playbook? Smokehouse Creek Fire second-largest wildfire in Texas history. Here are the biggest ever recorded https://lnkd.in/gEkwYETs