PSPS Descoping of Hardened Distribution Facilities

The objective of the PSPS-DF is to establish a framework and criteria for hardened electric distribution circuits to remain energized (i.e., "descoped from PSPS") during PSPS conditions that is in accord with the guidelines of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). In this project, we performed a review that includes (1) Assessment of the process – the GIRS-RT is evaluating the idea and criteria used in the PSPS-DF to determine whether it meets the objectives outlined for the framework; (2) Assessment of the methods – the GIRS-RT is evaluating the data, statistical methods, and geospatial models used in the PSPS-DF to determine whether the risk assignments are sound; (3) Assessment of the results— in the context of specific case studies, the GIRS-RT is reviewing the PSPS-DF methods and identified circuit isolation zones to determine whether they are correctly identified for potential descoping and whether the conditions for descoping are consistent with the Large Fire Potential (LFP) model, System Hardening, other effects that influence descoping, and the PSPS threshold. The GIRS-RT review represents an independent external review step of the PSPS-DF as the methodology evolves towards widespread applications on PG&E territory portions of the California statewide power grid.