An integrated framework to improve the resiliency of electricity distribution systems exposed to wildfires

Abstract

Accurate modeling of the complex and unique interaction between the electricity distribution systems and wildfires is crucial for mitigating their devastating consequences. In this study, we develop an optimization framework for designing strategic wildfire prevention policies that involve preemptive practices, such as electricity infrastructure hardening and public safety power shutoffs. Unlike existing studies that consider the pre- and post-wildfire event decisions separately, our approach captures in a unified framework the interaction between the preemptive strategic actions, the wildfire propagation, and the post-event operational decisions, such as the microgrid formation and the electricity distribution policies. To identify resilient strategies, we propose a worst-case-analysis approach that leverages a tri-level interdiction model focused on mitigating the worst possible disruption an uncontrolled wildfire can cause. To demonstrate the benefits of our framework, we conduct a case study based on the IEEE 14 bus and IEEE 30 bus systems, testing their performance under the proposed prevention policies for different initial settings and risk scenarios. We observe that the hardening strategies are fundamental for minimizing the unserved demand and the detrimental effect on the electricity infrastructure inflicted by wildfires. Furthermore, our results provide evidence that public safety power shutoffs are particularly beneficial in scenarios where the hardening budget is low. Similarly, we note that microgrids formed around distributed generators significantly improve the resiliency of electricity distribution systems in post-disaster scenarios.