2026

Distribution substations are the central cogs in our energy network and their reliable operation is critical in maintaining reliable and resilient power continuity. The US DoE(Department of Energy) estimates that power outages cost $150 Billion annually and the APPA(American Public Power Association) state that 26% of all recorded outage incidents in the North America are caused by wildlife, birds and climbing animals. The majority of animal outages are caused by tree squirrels, racoons and snakes and the majority of reportable animal incidents occur in distribution substations.

Conservation and mitigation go hand in hand in the context of substation wildlife interaction and optimal solutions will protect both continuity and wildlife at the same time. Preventing wildlife from entering open substations is challenging, making it essential to take proactive, systematic design measures to reduce both their attraction to, and access into these sites. The core of this paper will evaluate the mitigation of residual wildlife relates risks though the application of wildlife mitigation technology. Many solutions have been available in the market since the 1970’s and have evolved into effective protection when applied correctly and systematically.

Despite the availability of solutions and the high relative costs of failure, many substations remain either only partially protected or not protected at all.

The goals of the paper are to:
a) Define the reasons why different wildlife are attracted to distribution substations and the impact of local environment and topography on wildlife density in the vicinity of substations.
b) Rank the equipment most frequently impacted by wildlife and define the wildlife that has the biggest impact on continuity.
c) We will define the common challenges in wildlife mitigation efforts, (incomplete mitigation, durability, ease of installation and solution design).
d) Define the structure of a robust solutions:
a. Siting of substations, management of vegetation adjacent to substations.
b. Management of food sources within and adjacent to substations.
c. Detail the methods used in protection of primary equipment in distribution, with focus on insulation, isolation and diversion strategies.
e) The final section of the paper will focus on specifying solutions for durable longevity, targeting 30+ years service life, addressing recent concerns about install-ability, serviceability, UV aging, tracking risk, heat resilience and flame retardancy.

Robust solutions can eliminate wildlife interruptions and mortality, if complete and durable solutions are implemented. This paper will define the decision logic and process required to achieve robust protection from wildlife incursion, enabling power continuity, protecting substation assets and conservating wildlife.


Key words: Squirrel outage, racoon outage, bird outage, snake outage, wildlife substation outage, wildlife electrocution, nest deterrents, nest ignition, fire ignition substation, vegetation management substations, durable HV materials, wildlife mitigation