The Cost and Growing Threat of Wildfires
Each year, the U.S. government spends over $3 billion fighting wildfires, while the broader economic impact is estimated to range between $394 billion and $893 billion. Over the last decade, wildfire has intensified, with larger and more frequent incidents causing devastating loss of life and destruction of infrastructure. Though over 50% of the wildfire damage in the past 15 years has been concentrated in just five states, no area is truly safe from this threat. The recent fire in Hawaii, for instance, quickly spread through what was once considered a “lush” region, destroying over 2,700 structures and taking 102 lives. The fire was traced back to an electrical fault, illustrating how infrastructure failures can spark major disasters.
Wildfires have always been a part of U.S. history, but the six largest fires in the past two decades have all occurred in this period, with three directly linked to failing electrical systems. One prominent example, the Camp Fire in California, caused $16.5 billion in damages, destroyed more than 13,500 homes, and led to 86 fatalities. Electrical faults are now a recognized cause for about 10% of wildfires worldwide. While this may seem small, the increase in climate-related factors – such as more frequent and severe heat waves – makes it an alarming statistic. As landscapes become more flammable, the impacts of electrical faults only grow.
Real-Time Condition Monitoring as a Solution
A robust reliability program in any industry depends on accurate condition monitoring to establish baselines and detect equipment degradation before it leads to failures. In the context of wildfire prevention, proactive monitoring of electrical infrastructure can be a game changer. Studies have shown that reactive repairs can be up to nine times more expensive than proactive maintenance, a cost differential that only increases when electrical transmission and distribution systems are involved. In such cases, the surrounding environment is affected, adding a significant multiplier to the cost.
This urgency is prompting utilities to consider innovative solutions, such as IND Technology’s Early Fault Detection (EFD™). With this technology, utilities can operate transmission and distribution systems more cost-effectively, and with fewer unscheduled outages. More importantly, they can significantly reduce the occurrence of wildfires caused by electrical faults.
IND Technology’s Early Fault Detection (EFD™) System
By law, U.S. utilities are required to include Vegetation Management in their wildfire mitigation plans. Traditionally, this has involved time-consuming and labor-intensive manual inspections. In recent years, utilities have begun using drones equipped with high-resolution cameras or LiDAR to improve accuracy. However, these methods remain intermittent, providing a snapshot of conditions at a specific point in time rather than continuous, real-time monitoring.
In contrast, IND’s EFD™ technology offers constant, high-frequency monitoring. With the ability to detect encroaching vegetation within 30 feet over a three- to six-mile stretch, EFD™ systems can continuously monitor power lines for changes. Additionally, EFD™ units detect other potential fire hazards, such as broken conductors, damaged insulators, crossarm failures and loose clamps, etc., allowing the utility time to proactively address these issues before they escalate.
IND Technology Chairman Tony Marxsen explains, “The key difference between EFD™ technology and many other systems is that it predicts a failure rather than simply recording it. In risk assessment terms, this makes it a threat barrier rather than a risk mitigator. In other words, it is proactive rather than reactive.” By alerting utilities to potential failures before they occur, EFD™ allows maintenance to be planned and scheduled, reducing the costs associated with reactive repairs.
Proven Success in the Field
IND’s EFD™ technology is already in use by 17 U.S. utility companies, with over 5,900 devices deployed nationwide, and another 9,000+ units awaiting deployment. For example, in its 2022 report, Fortis Alberta Inc. found that EFD™ met all installation and operational expectations, detecting issues with an accuracy of 30 feet. As a result, Fortis Alberta now has 352 units in service, with plans to install an additional 431 units.
These EFD™ systems not only detect vegetation encroachment but also continuously monitor the health of the electrical lines. For instance, the system can detect a single broken strand in a multi-strand conductor—a subtle yet critical issue that is easily missed in manual inspections. By alerting utility companies to such vulnerabilities early, EFD™ helps prevent outages and enhance safety.
Figure 1: A cable break – single strand of a multi-strand conductor
For a closer look at how EFD™ is being deployed, see Pacific Gas & Electric’s video on their implementation of IND’s Early Fault Detection Line Sensors here.
Conclusion
IND Technology’s Early Fault Detection system enables utilities to shift from a reactive to a proactive maintenance approach, reducing costs, improving safety, and enhancing system performance. From 2000 to 2016, wildfires in just one state – California – resulted in over $700 million in damage to transmission and distribution infrastructure alone. With EFD™, the threat of electrically induced wildfires can be minimized, saving money, preserving electrical infrastructure, the environment, and protecting lives. As wildfires continue to threaten communities across the United States, technologies like EFD™ offer a promising path forward in wildfire prevention.
About the author
James (Jim) Haw is a seasoned electrical engineer with over 35 years of diverse experience across the paper, plastics, electrical utility, and oil & gas industries. Recently, he joined IND Technology as the Director of Business Development for North America, where he is focused on promoting IND’s Early Fault Detection system to increase awareness within the U.S. power transmission and distribution utilities sector.
Jim is recognized for his career in automation and for pioneering the groundbreaking concept of the “born digital” industrial facility. His “born digital” philosophy led to several published articles and recognition from the International Society of Automation (ISA), which awarded him the 2023 Excellence in Technical Achievement Award for his contributions to a new plastics recycling facility. He has served ISA at the local, regional, and national levels, aiming to support the industry and share his knowledge wherever possible.
Jim holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Texas. In addition to his engineering background, Jim is a Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP) and a Project Management Professional (PMP)
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