An Overview of ElectroMagnetic Threats to Electric Grids – Space Weather, EMP & IEMI

John G. Kappenman

Great Geomagnetic Storms March 1989 Superstorm & May 1921 Storm Comparisons

Estimated Boundaries of Eastward Electrojet

May 14-15, 1921Larger & More Intense

than March 1989

A Review of Power Grid Vulnerability to Solar Activity & Geomagnetic Storms

2 0 0 2 / 0 9 / 2 7 0 0 : 0 4 : 0 0 . 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 / 0 9 / 2 7 0 0 : 0 4 : 0 0 . 0 0 0

Areas of Probable Power System

Collapse

Blackouts of Unprecedented

Scale

GIC flow in transformers can cause Power Grid Blackouts & Permanent Grid Damage

4HEMP Effects Area – Fast Pulse

High Altitude-EMP (HEMP) Threats to US Electric Grid

Source: EMP Commission Executive Report

5

HEMP Fast Pulse Exposure covers a total of 1765 substations exposed or ~83% of 2106 major HV and EHV substations. In addition some 35,000 to 40,000 Distribution Class Substations may also be of concern for Fast Pulse Exposure

HEMP Threats to US Electric GridMajor HV and EHV Substations

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HEMP Fast Pulse exposed power plants (Red) total 10,730 with a generation capacity that is ~74.4% of the U.S. total generation capability.

HEMP Threats to US Electric GridLarge Electric Generation Plants

• The non-nuclear EMP threat (NNEMP) arises from the ability to build extremely powerful radio transmitters that can duplicate the waveforms and intensities of the EMP portion of a nuclear explosion.

• The technology exists to build transmitters of this nature that can be portable and still produce effects many times that of a large nuclear EMP pulse. NEMP Level EMP Source

EMP Weapon Overview – Non-Nuclear Devices

A Risk Scenario of likelihood comparable to Cyber Attack

•Components to Manufacture Devices are readily available•Can be designed with relative ease (Many Terrorists have Engineering Backgrounds)•Unlike EMP - A Multi-Shot Device & Can be Mobile & Coordinated