John Organek, Director of Program Planning & Operational Architecture, EIS
September 9, 2024
The Problem:
Geomagnetic Disturbances (GMDs) represent a significant threat to our critical infrastructures, particularly in the electric, communication, and fuel sectors. As electricity and electronic systems play an ever-expanding role in our daily lives, the risk posed by these disturbances grows. GMDs, caused by highly charged solar winds interacting with Earth’s magnetosphere, can induce massive voltage differences across wide areas. These differences generate electrical currents that flow through transmission lines, creating dangerous oscillations and imposing high currents that can damage or destroy transformers. Furthermore, the ionization caused by these events can affect electronic circuits, turning them into unintended antennas that absorb and channel energy, leading to severe damage.
The Response:
Various organizations are actively involved in monitoring and mitigating the effects of GMDs.The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is at the forefront, preparing utilities to handle such events. While the electric sector has developed mature data collection and response protocols, the communication sector still lags in its preparedness.
During the G5 GMD event from May 10-12, 2024, early detection and reliable forecasting enabled rapid response measures. Warnings were issued promptly by Space Weather command centers and NERC, allowing utilities to take protective actions. Thanks to these efforts, no significant damage was reported.
NERC has established a robust protocol for utilities, requiring comprehensive data collection before, during, and after GMD events to refine risk models and operational standards. You can find more details on NERC’s GMD data collection program here. Additionally, in anticipation of the May 2024 event, NERC released an Event Review Plan.
To ensure consistent evaluation across utilities, NERC developed a benchmark event that helps utilities assess system performance under low-probability GMD scenarios. This benchmark is used alongside Reliability Standards for system modeling, vulnerability assessments, and mitigation planning. For more on this benchmark event, visit this link. Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a limited request for information through the Space Weather Prediction Center to report any observed impacts from the May 2024 storm. You can read more about it here.
By enhancing collaboration across sectors and improving data collection and preparedness, we can better protect our critical infrastructures from the devastating potential of geomagnetic disturbances.
We’re all connected; we’re all vulnerable.
Join the EIS Council in shaping a resilient future.
By: John Organek
Create Impact with us:
Join our membership and
contribution programs:
Participate in our
upcoming events:
Schedule a call with
our experts:
Our upcoming events:
The Role of Product Management in Developing Crisis-Ready Infrastructure
Gil Keini, Head of Product, EIS August 19, 2024 In an era marked by increasing uncertainties and the growing threat of extreme events, developing crisis-ready infrastructure is no longer optional but necessary. As product managers, we are at the forefront of this endeavor, ensuring that the products developed are functional, resilient, secure, and of the […]
Fueling Passion and Purpose: Staying Engaged to Prevent Burnout on the Job
Gil Keini, Head of Product, EIS August 6, 2024 In the fast-paced world of hi-tech, burnout can often seem inevitable. However, staying deeply engaged and connected to the project’s outcome can be a powerful antidote. At EIS Council, our work on the Humane Continuity Project is not just about meeting deadlines or achieving milestones; […]
Trapped in the Present: We’re All Connected, We’re All Vulnerable
Trapped in the Present: We’re All Connected, We’re All Vulnerable Paul Williams, President EIS Council July 24, 2024 As President of the EIS Council for the past four months, I’ve become acutely aware of the myriad potential catastrophes reported daily. These range from malicious cyber-attacks like Volt Typhoon to severe weather impacts, geomagnetic disturbances threatening […]
