WiNGS of Change: How SDG&E’s Wildfire Tech Earned Gold for Outage Operations
In a year marked by climate extremes and growing wildfire threats, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has emerged as a leader in outage resilience and wildfire mitigation. The utility was recently honored with the Gold Outage Operations Award for its groundbreaking work in developing technologies that reduce the need for Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) and protect vulnerable communities.
👉 Read the Case Study: Web Platform Equips SDG&E With Real-Time Data to Mitigate Wildfire Risks and PSPS Events
At the heart of this achievement is SDG&E’s Wildfire Next Generation System (WiNGS) – a sophisticated climate analytics platform that models fire weather scenarios, estimates potential outcomes, and prioritizes assets and communities for protection. WiNGS has become a cornerstone of SDG&E’s wildfire strategy, enabling faster, smarter decisions when every second counts.
In 2024, SDG&E added a new layer to WiNGS to assess risks associated with temporary construction and compliance (TCC) assets, further enhancing its ability to anticipate and mitigate hazards. This upgrade has expedited risk analysis and helped the utility significantly reduce the frequency and impact of PSPS events.
The results speak volumes. During historic Santa Ana wind events in late 2024 and early 2025, SDG&E successfully notified nearly 275,000 customers, supported vulnerable populations, and maintained trust across affected regions. A post-event survey revealed that 86% of customers were satisfied with SDG&E’s communication efforts – an impressive feat during times of crisis.
SDG&E’s commitment to innovation and community safety will be showcased at Chartwell’s PowerUp Conference in October, where the utility will share insights into the genesis and evolution of WiNGS.
To learn more about the Chartwell Emergency Management Leadership Council, please contact Tim Herrick.
Blog posts you may like:
- Four Key Components of a Successful Emergency Management Training Program
- SDG&E’s Efforts in Mitigating PSPS Events and Enhancing Customer Communication Earn Dual Best Practices Awards
- Key Components for Conducting Successful Hot Washes
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