According to the United Nations, the number of wildfires will increase 50 percent by century’s end, with governments ill-prepared to tackle them. From Australia to Canada, Chile to Greece, these devastating blazes, driven by climate change, drought, extreme weather events and increasing urbanization, wreak havoc on ecosystems, businesses, homes, and lives. 

They also release vast amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere when forests and organic matter burn. Recent research published in Nature finds that carbon released by wildfires in Canada alone exceeds that of the emissions of some of the world’s largest economies – more than the entirety of Germany or Japan, for example. This rapid unlocking of stored carbon contributes significantly to climate change, exacerbating global warming and creating a vicious cycle where increased temperatures lead to more frequent and intense wildfires.  

Wildfires and the energy transition

While the shift to fossil-free energy sources like solar, wind, geothermal or nuclear is a critical step on the path to net zero, the infrastructure needed for this transition requires careful planning, proactive maintenance, and extensive upgrading.

Power lines and electrical equipment are frequent culprits in igniting wildfires, accounting for ten of the 20 most destructive fires in the history of California, as just one example. Downed lines can spark fires when they meet dry vegetation, while equipment malfunctions and overheating transformers pose significant risks as well. 

In its recent report, "Electricity Grids and Secure Energy Transitions," the International Energy Agency (IEA) calls for global investment in upgrading electrical infrastructure, which is often aging and insufficient to handle the growing demand for electricity and the integration of renewable energy sources. The lack of grid resilience poses risks of blackouts and power disruptions that can stand in the way of the energy transition and hinder efforts to achieve climate goals. Other analysis underscore the clear relationship between wildfires and grid instability, noting that 18 percent of the global electricity network is exposed to 200 or more days of “fire weather” each year.

Thus, the energy sector faces a multi-pronged challenge: accelerating the transition to clean energy and ensuring grid resilience, while simultaneously guarding against the risks of wildfires driven by climate change, aging, or poorly maintained electrical infrastructure. 

Safe power distribution

ABB is helping utilities and industry with safe power distribution, providing our customers with a wide range of medium- and low-voltage solutions to enhance grid resilience and directly address wildfire risks. These include grid hardening, products that support undergrounding (i.e., burying power lines), and tools for digital monitoring and control. 

Grid hardening

Hardening the grid means reinforcing the transmission and distribution infrastructure in a way that prevents or reduces the damage from extreme weather events, keeping the flow of power. 

A safer alternative to oil-insulated devices, Elastimold® solid-dielectric switchgear relies on solid synthetic-rubber insulation. This eliminates the risk of leaks and spills. All energized components are sealed off from the exterior, helping protect utility workers and prevent sparking. This reduces environmental hazards and minimizes potential ignition sources. 

Because the smallest spark can ignite a wildfire under certain conditions, Hi-Tech Valiant™ current-limiting fuses for fire mitigation minimizes the risk of wildfires by holding sparks within the device. The design ensures quick interruption of current, blocking dangerous overheating and arcing faults.

Undergrounding

Digitalization

The integration of advanced sensors into electrical distribution equipment is transforming grid operations. By providing real-time data on grid conditions, these devices proactively address potential hazards. Instead of reactive measures, grid operators can prevent issues, such as equipment failures or vegetation-related problems, which could lead to wildfires.

SSC600 is a centralized digital protection system for electrical substations. By aggregating data from various protection devices, and using AI and machine learning, it offers a comprehensive view of operations, allowing for swift responses to anomalies and significantly decreases the risk of wildfires associated with electrical faults.