Research Updates
Ongoing research in improving grid safety & resilience during extreme weather events and wildfires.
2026 Event Calendar
Upcoming Events
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Time
Type
Event
Info
Past Events
Date
Time
Type
Event
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2026 Anticipated Deliverables
| Deliverable | Date |
| Grid Monitoring Research Update | 12/31/2026 |
| Covered Conductor Performance Results | 12/31/2026 |
| Recloser Health Monitoring Update | 12/31/2026 |
| Downed Conductor Detection Technologies | 12/31/2026 |
| Data Sources to Enhance Disaster Recovery | 12/31/2026 |
| Component Flammability Testing | 12/31/2026 |
| Ignition Energy Investigation | 12/31/2026 |
Past EPRI Work
| Product ID | Title | Description | Published Date |
| 3002025027 | Ignition Scenarios and Solution Options | Wildfires are a public-safety threat, and events on medium-voltage distribution systems can sometimes ignite wildfires. This whitepaper covers scenarios that can ignite wildfires on distribution systems. Data and signatures are considered, including examples of low-impedance (high-current) faults and various high-impedance faults, including vegetation contacts and downed conductors. Technologies and approaches to prevent or detect these scenarios are covered, including protection changes, relay-based detection, and online monitoring. | June 2022 |
| 3002018147 | Fast Communication for Grid Safety | Distribution system operators are under continual pressure to improve resiliency, reliability, and performance during extreme weather and environmental events. These major events may include wildfire, ice, wind, and other weather events. Each incident type presents a unique challenge to the distribution system that can impact many customers and may pose unique safety concerns. The key question for utilities becomes, “Which system-protection strategies are going to be the most valuable across the full spectrum of weather conditions for a particular geography, and how do we measure the reduction in fault counts, fault energy, and downed live conductors afforded by advanced system-protection strategies?” This document reviews a selection of known hardware and configuration strategies that have been deployed for certain applications or have the potential for demonstration. | May 2020 |
| 3002028876 | Distribution Resource Center Improving Grid Safety and Resilience: Wildfire Phase II v4.0 for Grid Safety |
Benefits & Values
| Nov 2024 |