Power-infrastructure-based early wildfire detection
This patented wildfire detection system repurposes existing power grid infrastructure to provide early, real-time warnings. By integrating specialized software into standard transmission line sensors, the technology monitors line sag and temperature to identify fire-related heat. This approach allows utility companies to detect fires within a mile of lines in under a minute, providing actionable data on fire direction and speed to aid in emergency response without the cost of installing new, dedicated sensors.
Overview
This patented technology provides an innovative solution for early wildfire detection by repurposing existing power grid infrastructure. By leveraging sensors already mounted on high-voltage transmission lines, the system monitors line temperature and physical sag to identify the heat signatures of nearby wildfires. This approach transforms standard grid-monitoring hardware into an intelligent early-warning system, allowing utility operators to receive rapid notifications about the location, speed, and direction of a fire without the need for additional costly infrastructure.
Technical specifications
The system utilizes advanced software algorithms integrated into existing transmission line monitoring sensors. Key capabilities include:
- Rapid Detection: Capable of detecting wildfires within approximately 20 to 60 seconds.
- Broad Range: Can identify fire activity up to a mile away from the transmission line.
- Real-time Monitoring: Provides critical updates every 20 to 25 seconds regarding the fire's position, movement, and intensity.
- Data Integration: Processes data related to line expansion and thermal changes to distinguish wildfire heat from weather-related ambient temperature or normal electrical power flow.
- Seamless Deployment: Designed to be installed as a software layer on existing hardware already used for grid health and operation, minimizing deployment costs and eliminating the need for extra power sources.
Technology readiness level
The technology has achieved a level of 7. The developers, professors Majid Poshtan and Joseph Callenes-Sloan, have successfully secured a US patent for their wildfire-detecting software. The innovation has moved beyond initial academic research and simulation, attracting significant interest from utility companies and equipment manufacturers. It is currently in a state where it can be licensed and integrated into commercial power line monitoring systems for operational use.
About California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) is a comprehensive public polytechnic in San Luis Obispo known for applied learning and industry-relevant research. Facilities include extensive maker and prototyping spaces, pilot-scale labs for product and process development, and an on-campus research park that co-locates companies with faculty and students. Partnerships grow through sponsored senior design, internships, and capstone collaborations, reinforced by Learn by Doing and a Central Coast location between the Bay Area and Southern California. Research is supported by competitive federal and state funding, including the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, plus corporate contracts. A dedicated technology transfer office and entrepreneurship programs guide IP, licensing, and incubation.
delivered to your inbox.