Climate Resilience Practices: From Regulatory and Utility Frameworks to Industry Innovations

This panel will bring together experts from diverse sectors to discuss the latest achievements and existing gaps in addressing climate resilience within the utilities of the Western interconnected grid. Our panelists, including leaders from PacifiCorp, the University of Utah, San Diego Gas and Electric, the California Public Utility Commission, and the Electric Power Research Institute, will provide insights into protection strategies against natural disasters such as wildfires and the integration of advanced technologies like machine learning and cyber-physical systems for enhanced grid monitoring and security. The discussion will also cover the regulatory landscape, emphasizing the delicate balance between safety, modernization, and sustainability. Additionally, the panel will highlight innovative solutions for making electric infrastructure, operations, and services more resilient in the face of climate change risks, including pioneering reinforcement technologies designed to fortify our grid against extreme weather events.