The other day I saw an article reporting how PG&E is planning to use "tech" to achieve its target to underground 10,000 miles.
They demo'ed something called a "Groundline distribution system". I found a patent here titled "Ground level primary electric distribution system" (US11621549B2)
Is this actually a thing that will work at scale?
Won't they have to make changes to the National Electrical Code to make this compliant?
The utility also unveiled its new groundline distribution system, which entails undergrounding 10,000 miles of lines in its 44,000-mile system using ground level conduits, instead of spending more to dig deeper and tear up rock and the concrete and asphalt of streets.
The program started last year with 180 miles of cable brought down from above, where contact with trees and animals can start fires. It’s on pace for 350 miles this year. PG&E officials said the process typically costs about $3.5 million per mile of cable going underground.
The new method — which inserts the cable into a hard surface that typically can’t be cut open with everyday tools (and withstands being run over by semi-trucks without damage) will cost about $1.5 million to $2 million per mile and be done 2-3 times faster. The boxes can be put a few inches into the ground, but without the typical fuss of digging trenches.
