Timothy Barat

EECS Department, University of California, Berkeley

Technical Report No. UCB/EECS-2022-244

December 1, 2022

http://www2.eecs.berkeley.edu/Pubs/TechRpts/2022/EECS-2022-244.pdf

Electricity distribution infrastructure has caused some of the worst wildfires in California's history, including it's deadliest. During extreme weather, utilities do not have complete situational awareness of their equipment and the risks of operating power infrastructure often becomes too great. They are left with no choice but to de-energize their grids with preventative power shutoffs. This paper examines whether the ignition sources of wildfires caused by electricity distribution infrastructure emit mechanical signals during and prior to ignition. Preliminary experimental data is presented to suggest that mechanical signals caused by flashover arcing on conductors are detectable by pole-mounted accelerometers. Further experimental data is presented to suggest that a constant mechanical oscillation exists in power lines due to electromagnetic forces. The data also suggests that deviations in the structural integrity of poles may change this input oscillation as it travels through the pole and that these changes may be detectable by pole-mounted accelerometers. This knowledge highlights the importance of further research into the mechanical signals which occur on electricity distribution infrastructure and a promising opportunity to use accelerometers to decrease wildfire risk with real-time detection of failure modes and incipient faults.

Advisors: Jonathan Bachrach and Prabal Dutta

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BibTeX citation:

@mastersthesis{Barat:EECS-2022-244,
    Author= {Barat, Timothy},
    Title= {Improving Situational Awareness to Reduce the Wildfire Risks of Operating Power Distribution Infrastructure},
    School= {EECS Department, University of California, Berkeley},
    Year= {2022},
    Month= {Dec},
    Url= {http://www2.eecs.berkeley.edu/Pubs/TechRpts/2022/EECS-2022-244.html},
    Number= {UCB/EECS-2022-244},
    Abstract= {Electricity distribution infrastructure has caused some of the worst wildfires in California's history, including it's deadliest. During extreme weather, utilities do not have complete situational awareness of their equipment and the risks of operating power infrastructure often becomes too great. They are left with no choice but to de-energize their grids with preventative power shutoffs. This paper examines whether the ignition sources of wildfires caused by electricity distribution infrastructure emit mechanical signals during and prior to ignition. Preliminary experimental data is presented to suggest that mechanical signals caused by flashover arcing on conductors are detectable by pole-mounted accelerometers. Further experimental data is presented to suggest that a constant mechanical oscillation exists in power lines due to electromagnetic forces. The data also suggests that deviations in the structural integrity of poles may change this input oscillation as it travels through the pole and that these changes may be detectable by pole-mounted accelerometers. This knowledge highlights the importance of further research into the mechanical signals which occur on electricity distribution infrastructure and a promising opportunity to use accelerometers to decrease wildfire risk with real-time detection of failure modes and incipient faults.},
}

EndNote citation:

%0 Thesis
%A Barat, Timothy 
%T Improving Situational Awareness to Reduce the Wildfire Risks of Operating Power Distribution Infrastructure
%I EECS Department, University of California, Berkeley
%D 2022
%8 December 1
%@ UCB/EECS-2022-244
%U http://www2.eecs.berkeley.edu/Pubs/TechRpts/2022/EECS-2022-244.html
%F Barat:EECS-2022-244