Last month, I wrote to you about the importance of maintaining accurate contact information for you — the members of Y-W Electric Association, Inc. One of the key reasons we ask for updated contact details is so we can keep you “in the know” about electric grid conditions, especially during weather events that may impact service. Timely communication allows you to make emergency preparations when they are most needed.
In mid January, Y-W Electric communicated with members about forecasted severe winds and high fire danger. During this period, our electric grid was operating in Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings. In this article, we want to take the opportunity to explain what that means, outline other strategies used across the electric industry, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
ENHANCED POWERLINE SAFETY SETTINGS
Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings are a proactive operating mode used by power companies — including Y-W Electric and its power suppliers — during periods of elevated wildfire risk.
When operating in this mode:
• Automated equipment that protects power lines and transformers is configured to operate differently than under normal conditions.
• Instead of attempting to automatically re-energize a line multiple times after a problem is detected, the system will automatically de-energize the line.
• If a line is de-energized, Y-W Electric follows a strict protocol that requires visual inspection of the power line before any attempt is made to restore power.
Advantages of Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings:
• Power remains on for members until a problem is encountered on the electric grid.
• Only the affected portion of the system loses power. This may be a small section of a power line, though in some cases — such as an issue impacting a substation or the transmission line feeding it — an entire substation area may be de-energized.
• More members remain energized during the weather event and fewer miles of line must be inspected before service can be restored. Because inspections can take a significant amount of time — especially in severe weather or hard-to-access locations — this approach can greatly reduce outage duration.
Disadvantage of Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings:
• While risk is reduced, there is potential for wildfire ignition if a power line is damaged and produces sparks before the system de-energizes.
PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFFS
Another strategy used in high-risk wildfire conditions is a Public Safety Power Shutoff.
With a PSPS:
• Power is intentionally shut off to entire geographic areas, typically at the substation level, before damaging weather occurs.
Advantage of PSPS:
• By fully de-energizing large areas, the risk of a spark igniting a wildfire is effectively eliminated.
Disadvantages of PSPS:
• Decisions to initiate a PSPS are based on several criteria, including:
- Information from the National Weather Service, such as high wind warnings or Red Flag Warnings
- The accuracy of the timing of these warnings
- The accuracy of the geographic areas identified in the forecast
• After a PSPS event, all power lines must be visually inspected before service can be restored, even if no damage is immediately apparent. This involves inspecting a large amount of line.
• Because of the scale of inspections required, restoration times are often measured in days rather than hours.
VISUAL INSPECTIONS
Visual inspections are a critical safety step following severe weather events. If power is restored without first inspecting lines, damaged equipment — such as broken conductors, fallen poles, or debris contacting lines — can cause sparks and ignite fires. High winds can damage power lines in ways that are not visible from the ground or reported by the public, making inspections essential for the safety of our members and communities.
OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY AND RELIABILITY
Y-W Electric is committed to balancing public safety, wildfire risk reduction, and reliable electric service. By using tools such as Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings and carefully evaluating all available information during extreme weather, we work to protect our members while minimizing the duration and impact of outages.
Remember: Keep your contact information up to date to ensure you receive timely notifications about grid conditions, safety settings, and potential outages. Together, we can stay informed, prepared, and safe during challenging weather events.
Trent Loutensock is the General Manager of Y-W Electric Association, a electric distribution cooperative based in Akron, Colorado.
