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With the extent, severity and frequency of bushfires increasing due to a range of factors including climate change, what is the potential impact of bushfires on people, the environment and energy networks?
In this April Hazardous Webinar, find out how Powerlink Queensland (Powerlink) and researchers used the Project IGNIS model to identify higher-risk locations across their transmission network, as well as inform internal decision-making processes about bushfire risk mitigation strategies, policies and operational imperatives.
11:00am - 12:00pm AEST, 29 April 2024
Speakers:
- Brett Cirulis, FLARE Wildfire Research Group (University of Melbourne) and Natural Hazards Research Australia
- Paul Bentley, FLARE Wildfire Research Group (University of Melbourne) and Natural Hazards Research Australia
- Stephen Martin, Powerlink
- Nicola Moore, Natural Hazards Research Australia (host)
Queensland electricity transmission network provider, Powerlink, is more used to dealing with flood and cyclone risks than fire. However, following catastrophic fire weather conditions in 2018 and 2019, Powerlink wanted to better understand the impact of bushfires started by natural causes and by network assets. Powerlink also wanted to improve measurement and management of bushfire risk across its network to ensure a safer, more reliable electricity supply for its customers.
Quantifying major bushfire consequences: A Project IGNIS case study expanded on and localised the fire risk modelling methods developed previously by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC’s Project IGNIS which did not include Queensland-specific data.
Members of the FLARE Wildfire Research Group will share how the PHOENIX RapidFire bushfire simulator was used to determine the theoretical risk and impacts associated with an ignition on Powerlink’s network and where fires were most likely to start, either caused by Powerlink’s assets or due to natural causes.
Stephen Martin from Powerlink will share how the project’s research findings are impacting bushfire mitigation strategies, polices and operational imperatives.
Read the final project report and Hazard Note.
This webinar is eligible as CPD through AFAC’s Emergency Management Professionalisation Scheme (EMPS). For any EMPS enquiries, please contact email@empas.org.au