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Utilities Glossary

This glossary defines key terms used in utility wildfire risk assessment and mitigation planning including:

  • utility infrastructure terminology

  • utility-specific risk metrics

Terminology and specific applications may vary by utility, jurisdiction, and regulatory framework. The definitions provided reflect common usage in the field.

Utility Grid Organization

High-voltage Transmission Lines (TL) transfer power from generation sources, such as power plants, to facilities that step down voltage for distribution, like Substations, or directly supply high-demand commercial facilities. Distribution Lines (DL) form the grid's final stage, carrying electricity at reduced voltage from Substations to homes and businesses.

Within a utility, Transmission Lines (TL) and Distribution Lines (DL) usually fall under different management structures and may be handled by separate work units.