Wind energy implementation to mitigate wildfire risk and preemptive blackouts

Abstract

Damages caused by wildfires in California due to transmission line failures have increased significantly in recent years. Curtailment of electric service in areas under fire threat has been implemented to avoid these wildfires. Results from this research indicated that 24% of California’s cities are at risk of wildfire, while 52% are at risk of blackout. These blackouts have resulted in significant financial losses and risk to life and health. Undergrounding current transmission lines has been proposed as a long-term solution. However, undergrounding lines would take decades to complete and increase average monthly electric bills from $80 to $260. This research investigated shortening the length of the electricity supply chain, supplying affected communities with onshore and offshore wind energy. Results showed good wind energy potential in locations near affected cities. Distance analyses revealed that more than two hundred cities (population 5.5 million) can be served by existing wind farms located at less than 50 km. Future offshore wind turbines could generate high power output (capacity factor >50% for significant periods). An analysis of diverse locations along California’s coast indicated that just one offshore wind farm could serve more than a hundred cities with cumulative population larger than one million.