5-Year Agreement Aims to Enhance Grid Resilience Amid Growing Wildfire Concerns
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) has signed a 5-year agreement with Sharper Shape to use their CORE (Cloud Optimized Remote Evaluation) software for utility asset management. This partnership, which began in 2019, will help PG&E create a digital twin of its infrastructure using LiDAR and RGB imagery analysis.
The Potential for Digital Twins in Utilities
Digital twins are virtual replicas of physical assets, processes, or systems that capture real-time data and behavior.In the context of power grids, digital twins can create a comprehensive virtual representation of the entire network, including generation, transmission, and distribution assets. These digital replicas enable stakeholders to apply AI-powered analysis for enhanced understanding and management of the grid as a whole.
By integrating data from various sources such as sensors, software platforms, and historical records, digital twins can provide a holistic view of the grid’s performance. AI algorithms can then be applied to this rich dataset to simulate scenarios, predict potential issues, optimize operations, and facilitate data-driven decision-making. This combination of digital twins and AI can allow utilities to improve grid reliability, enhance maintenance strategies, integrate renewable energy sources more effectively, and respond swiftly to changing demands and potential disruptions.
Enhancing Grid Resilience
The collaboration comes at a crucial time for PG&E. Recent wildfires in California have put additional stress on the utility’s grid, making efficient asset management more important than ever. CORE’s AI-driven approach offers several benefits:
Reduced Field Visits: The software minimizes the need for on-site inspections by optimizing workflows for pole loading calculations and asset estimation.
Compliance Support: CORE helps PG&E adhere to regulations like California’s GO95.
Historical Data Integration: The system catalogs network data collected over many years from various sources.
Advanced Risk Modeling
Kristy McDermott, Vice President of Sales at Sharper Shape Inc., emphasized the importance of this partnership: “The innovative application of our CORE platform demonstrates the immense value of combining advanced AI, remote sensing data, and digital twin technology to create safer and more resilient utility infrastructure.”
CORE’s capabilities extend to vegetation management and risk modeling, crucial for wildfire prevention. By leveraging data for advanced segmentation and tree species identification, PG&E can better predict and mitigate wildfire risks.
Data-Driven Decision Making
The software empowers PG&E’s data science teams with critical information for developing risk models. This data-centric approach aligns with PG&E’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in the face of climate change and evolving regulatory requirements.
Looking Ahead
As California continues to grapple with wildfire threats, this partnership between PG&E and Sharper Shape represents a significant step towards more resilient and efficient utility operations. By harnessing AI and remote sensing technologies, PG&E aims to enhance safety and improve its response to the challenges posed by an increasingly stressed grid.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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