We just got a new article published in a special issue of Sustainability. It uses statistical methods to quantify the effects of Enhanced Tree Trimming (a rigorous tree trimming standard being used by Eversource), differentiating between storms of different intensities. We show that this type of tree trimming is able to reduce power outages during all types of storms, but the effects diminish somewhat for strong storms: which can cause much more severe damage like downed trees.
We’re hoping that with these results, utilities and regulators will be better able to prioritize measures to make the power grid more reliable, and help prepare for an increasingly uncertain climate. Check it out here. Check out the full text of the article here.