Bay Area Group Unveils AI Tool Predicting Wildfire Risk at PG&E Pitch Fest
At a recent event held by PG&E, a Fremont-based team showcased a groundbreaking AI tool designed to predict wildfire risks. This presentation was part of PG&E’s second Innovation Pitch Fest, which hosted over 57 organizations out of more than 400 applicants. The event aimed to enhance California’s energy solutions and wildfire mitigation strategies.
Innovative AI Tool for Wildfire Prediction
Climformatics, co-founded by Subarna Bhattacharyya and Detelina Ivanova, focuses on using artificial intelligence to forecast extreme weather and climate conditions months in advance. Bhattacharyya, who previously worked at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, emphasized the platform’s advanced capabilities.
Key Features of the AI Platform
- Forecasts climate and extreme weather with high accuracy.
- Utilizes physics-based models for improved predictive analytics.
- Achieves a 95% accuracy rate in wildfire risk predictions.
During her pitch, Bhattacharyya highlighted a successful forecast made on May 1st, predicting severe wildfire danger for the end of August. This prediction aligned with the onset of the Mariposa fire on August 26.
Collaboration and Support
The Climformatics team is supported by Google and is engaging in partnerships with institutions such as UC Berkeley. Product manager Anant Mishra brings prior experience from a technology startup and is enthusiastic about integrating innovative solutions into existing practices.
PG&E’s Commitment to Wildfire Mitigation
Andrew Abranches, Vice President of PG&E Wildfire Mitigation, expressed eagerness to explore how Climformatics’ solutions can contribute to enhancing their current wildfire prevention strategies. He mentioned that their initiative of continuous monitoring spans California’s electric grid, which consists of 5.5 million meters.
- Abranches aims for proactive monitoring to predict grid failures.
- Collaboration with innovative teams could lead to fresh strategies for wildfire prevention.
Future Prospects and Next Steps
Following the Pitch Fest, participating groups, including Climformatics, await PG&E’s decision on potential partnerships, expected to be announced in October. PG&E anticipates selecting between five to ten groups from the event.
As the wildfire season continues to pose threats in California, solutions like those presented by Climformatics could play a critical role in safeguarding communities and natural resources.
