Article 1: SDG&E’S WEATHER STATION NETWORK HAS EXPANDED
A decade ago, San Diego Gas & Electric® hired its first meteorologist and started building its own weather station network, to closely track how temperature, humidity and winds affect the power grid and plan accordingly to reduce wildfire risk. Today, SDG&E has 191 weather stations and has continued to expand and upgrade its weather network. In the past year, 14 stations have been added in areas of concern. The weather network’s capabilities have been upgraded which allows more frequent data download and weather observations every 30 seconds, instead of every ten minutes.
How are locations of weather stations determined?
After each extreme weather event that results in Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), the meteorology team does a review of the weather forecast that led up to the PSPS. The team determined where a greater density of weather stations would be beneficial to improve coverage in the future.
By looking at the geography and topography of our region’s
landscape on Google Earth,
SDG&E’s meteorologists can see which areas have signature traits that are
conducive to strong winds. After a physical inspection of the region, those
areas are targeted for additional weather stations.
How is weather data leveraged for forecasting?
SDG&E’s network of weather stations collects approximately 200,000 pieces of weather data daily. Over the past decade, the network has generated 700 million pieces of data. Using sophisticated computer algorithms and supercomputers, the meteorologists can leverage the historical data to run wildfire simulations and determine which areas would be at the greatest risk of catastrophic wildfires.
What lessons have been learned?
SDG&E’s weather stations have clocked hurricane-force winds – over 100 miles an hour. This has led to stronger design and engineering standards for power lines and poles, based on local conditions. Also learned is that conventional wisdom about where you find the strongest winds isn’t true. The weather stations have showed that the strongest winds are often found on down slopes of mountains rather than canyons and passes.
For more information
Data collected by our weather station is made available to the public. Visit sdgeweather.com to learn more.
Article 2: WHERE DO YOUR ENERGY DOLLARS GO?
Did you know residential energy use per person in California is lower than that of any other state except Hawaii? 1 The chart below gives a general idea what typical household energy costs are per year in the U.S.
You can see your own home’s energy use breakdown by category and get a personalized savings action plan at sdge.opower.com. To log in you’ll need your SDG&E My Account User ID and password. If you’re not a My Account user, you can enroll at sdge.com/myaccount. Once logged in, select “Ways to Save” in the top right-hand corner. If it’s your first visit, you’ll be prompted to take a quick survey about your home. Your “Home Energy Analysis” will automatically populate. Here’s an example:
You’ll receive energy-saving tips based on the areas you use the most energy, like this:
1 U.S. Energy Information Administration
Article 3: NEED HELP WITH YOUR ENERGY BILL?
SDG&E has several assistance programs to help lower your monthly energy bill while keeping your home comfortable.
California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) Program: Save 30% or more every month on your bill. Eligibility is based on participation in certain public assistance programs, or household income and how many people live in your home. Visit sdge.com/CARE to learn more.
Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program: If you don’t meet the requirements for CARE, you may qualify for FERA. You could receive an 18 percent discount on your energy bill. FERA is only open to households with three or more people. Visit sdge.com/FERA to learn more.
Medical Baseline Allowance Program: If you or someone in your household has a qualifying medical condition or needs certain medical equipment in your home, you may be eligible for electricity or natural gas at a lower rate. To learn more or apply, visit sdge.com/MedicalBaseline.
Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) Program: You may qualify to receive no-cost energy-saving improvements for your home, such as new home appliances, energy-efficient lighting, insulation and more. To see if you qualify, visit sdge.com/ESAP.
For details about SDG&E’s customer assistance programs, visit sdge.com/Assistance. If you have additional questions, please email billdiscount@sdge.com or call 1-800-411-7343.
Article 3 translated: ¿NECESITA AYUDA CON SU FACTURA DE ENERGÍA?
SDG&E tiene varios programas de asistencia para ayudarlo a reducir su factura mensual de energía mientras mantiene su hogar cómodo.
Programa de Tarifas Alternativas de Energía de California (CARE): Ahorre 30% o más cada mes en su factura. La elegibilidad se basa en la participación en ciertos programas de asistencia pública o en los ingresos del hogar y cuántas personas viven en su hogar. Visite sdge.com/CARE para obtener más información.
Programa de Asistencia de Tarifa Eléctrica Familiar (FERA): Si no cumple con los requisitos de CARE, puede calificar para FERA. Podría recibir un descuento del 18 por ciento en su factura de energía. FERA solo está abierto a hogares con tres o más personas. Visite sdge.com/FERA para obtener más información.
Programa de Subsidio de Referencia Médica: Si usted o alguien en su hogar tiene una afección médica que califica o necesita cierto equipo médico en su hogar, puede ser elegible para electricidad o gas natural a una tarifa más baja. Para obtener más información o presentar una solicitud, visite sdge.com/MedicalBaseline.
Programa de Asistencia para el Ahorro de Energía (ESA): Puede calificar para recibir mejoras de ahorro de energía sin costo para su hogar, como electrodomésticos nuevos, iluminación de bajo consumo, aislamiento y más. Para ver si califica, visite sdge.com/ESAP.
Para obtener detalles sobre los programas de asistencia al cliente de SDG&E, visite sdge.com/Assistance. Si tiene preguntas adicionales, envíe un correo electrónico a billdiscount@sdge.com o llame al 1-800-411-7343.
Article 4: REAL ESTATE AGENTS CAN CERTIFY GREEN
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has created a free Green Designation certification training program tailored for real estate agents. This 2-day course provides training in green building and sustainable business practices so that real estate agents can seek out, understand and market properties with green features. SDG&E is hosting this training at the Energy Innovation Center. The learning level is for beginners.
Course Highlights:
- Learn distinguishing characteristics that make a home resource cost-efficient
- Examine how both homes and consumer expectations impact the market
- Discover advice and resources to help homeowners improve the resource efficiency of their homes
- Review low-cost fixes to big-budget remodeling projects
Dates: Tuesday – Wednesday, February 11 – 12, 2020
Location: Energy Innovation Center at 4760 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., San Diego, CA 92117
Time: 9 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day (Check-in is at 8:30 a.m.)
Meals: Breakfast and lunch are provided
Realtors & lenders are welcome! For more information and registration please visit bit.ly/2u45TVQ.
All attendees who complete the two-day training will receive their NAR Green Designation Certification. Those who wish to receive the Continuing Education Units (CEU) will need to take an exam each day at the end of the day, with a 70% or better pass rate.