Marco Terruzzin, an Italian-born engineer, and his family recently experienced the devastation of a wildfire that consumed their newly moved-into Spanish-style home in Pacific Palisades. As they watched the news unfold, they learned that firefighters struggled to combat the flames due to dwindling water supplies from compromised hydrants. Feeling a sense of powerlessness, Terruzzin was struck by the realization that a solution was within reach.
Terruzzin, the chief commercial and product officer at Energy Vault, a company specializing in energy solutions, drew inspiration from a technology he helped create with his colleagues. This innovative concept involved repurposing a low-cost water-storage system known as Water Trees, which were currently in use at an energy facility in Sardinia, Italy. These Water Trees, large inflatable tanks resembling giant onions, are capable of holding up to 148,000 gallons of water, providing a potential solution to water shortages during wildfires.
The idea behind the Water Trees is to strategically place these reservoirs in high-fire-risk areas throughout California, ensuring a readily available water supply for firefighting efforts. By situating them near fire hydrants and along the interface between residential neighborhoods and wildlands, these inflatable tanks could act as a protective shield, containing fires and safeguarding communities against the devastating impact of wildfires.
Terruzzin envisions a network of these Water Trees working in tandem to maintain water pressure in fire hydrants, while simultaneously creating a barrier against advancing flames. He estimates that the installation of over 4,000 Water Trees across Los Angeles could significantly enhance the city’s firefighting capabilities at a fraction of the cost of traditional reservoirs or storage tanks.
Dean Florez, a member of the California Air Resources Board, recognizes the potential of this innovative solution, describing it as a forward-thinking strategy that could revolutionize wildfire preparedness. The concept of decentralized water storage, as proposed by Terruzzin, aligns with the need to rethink existing infrastructure to better protect communities from catastrophic wildfires.
The recent wildfires in Southern California have underscored the limitations of urban water systems in the face of large-scale disasters. The loss of water pressure, coupled with inadequate access to water sources, has highlighted the urgent need for alternative solutions to bolster firefighting efforts. Gov. Gavin Newsom has initiated an investigation into the water supply issues that hampered firefighting operations during the Pacific Palisades blaze, prompting a reevaluation of existing water management strategies.
Terruzzin emphasizes the importance of distributed water resources as a key component of effective wildfire mitigation. By strategically locating Water Trees in vulnerable areas, communities can proactively address the challenges posed by wildfires and ensure a reliable water supply during emergencies. The innovative design of these inflatable tanks, resistant to fire and capable of withstanding seismic activity, offers a promising solution to the pressing need for enhanced firefighting infrastructure.
While experts acknowledge the potential benefits of the Water Trees concept, they also raise valid concerns regarding regulatory compliance, safety standards, and community acceptance. The deployment of these reservoirs on a large scale would require careful planning and coordination to maximize their effectiveness in reducing losses during wildfires. Strategic decision-making in selecting deployment sites and securing public buy-in will be critical to the successful implementation of this innovative solution.
Terruzzin remains optimistic about the transformative impact of the Water Trees technology, viewing it as a vital step towards safeguarding communities against the increasing threat of wildfires. With a focus on functionality and necessity, he envisions a future where these balloon-like reservoirs become integral components of California’s firefighting infrastructure, providing a cost-effective and efficient solution to water storage challenges. The investment in such innovative solutions, Terruzzin argues, pales in comparison to the potential risks posed by escalating wildfire events.
As discussions around reshaping water systems in high-risk areas gain momentum, the Water Trees concept emerges as a compelling option for enhancing wildfire resilience and protecting communities from the devastating impact of wildfires. By embracing innovative solutions that address the shortcomings of existing infrastructure, California can pave the way for a more secure and sustainable future in the face of escalating climate challenges.
