Where is the Greatest Threat of MHD-E3 - On the High Voltage Power Grid, or on the Medium Voltage Power Distribution System and Customers
Abstract
Where is the Greatest Threat of MHD-E3 - On the High Voltage Power Grid, or on the Medium Voltage Power Distribution System and Customers. The detonation of a high-altitude nuclear weapon over the Earth to deliberately create a slow, minutes-long, large electromagnetic pulse (MHD-E3), also known as EMP, that causes deviations in the Earth?s magnetic field, poses a real threat to electric power grids. People on the ground would see the flash, but they would hear nothing and feel nothing. But a detonation at a height of 100 miles can damage and/or shut down the power grid over several states, perhaps as large as one-third of the US. An event of that magnitude is much larger than anything seen before ? so large that even if no heavy grid equipment is destroyed, a ?black start? recovery would take weeks. The questions to be answered in this research project include 1. Can we accurately model and simulate, with reasonable confidence, how the electric grid will respond to a MHD-E3 attack? Having a better understanding of grid response means that we can develop protection strategies. 2. Can we predict the ability of grid protection devices such as relays to operate properly during this extreme event? How should the relays be instructed to response? The relays may themselves fail. Again, understanding leads to protection strategies. 3. How serious will the overvoltages be on distribution feeders and customer loads as deeply saturated transformers spew voltage and current harmonics along distribution feeders, causing 10?s of seconds of harmonic overvoltages that will permanently burn out electronic loads such as communication equipment, computers, televisions, home protection devices, phones, etc
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 09, 2017
- Source ID
- HDTRA11610057
Entities
People
- William Grady
Organizations
- Baylor University
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency