Lights Out: Foreseeable Catastrophic Effects of Geomagnetic Storms on the North American Power Grid and How to Mitigate Them

Abstract

Failure of the North American Power Grid and subsequent long term disruption of reliable electricity service to a geographically large region can result in multiple second and third order effects with potentially enduring and devastating impact on American society. This paper focuses on the comprehensive effects of severe geomagnetic storms from solar events and discusses the best ways to protect, avert, and mitigate damage to the North American Power Grid. Using a problem solution methodology, it formulates several options and assesses them, examining their respective cost and ability to make the most immediate, direct impact on the protection of the North American Power Grid.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 21, 2011
Accession Number
AD1030804

Entities

People

  • Scott G. Smith

Organizations

  • Air Command and Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Commerce
  • Communication Systems
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Electrical Grids
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Environmental Protection
  • Geographic Regions
  • Land Transportation
  • Load Monitoring
  • Mobile Phones
  • Petroleum
  • Situational Awareness
  • Space Weather
  • Transportation Infrastructure
  • United States
  • Weather Forecasting

Readers

  • Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Engineering.
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.