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, 1921 Larger & More Intense than March 1989

A Review of Power Grid Vulnerability to Solar Activity & Geomagnetic Storms Areas of Probable Power System Collapse Blackouts of Unprecedented Scale GIC flow in transformers can cause Power Grid Blackouts & Permanent Grid Damage

4 HEMP 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 Grid Major HV and EHV Substations

6 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 Grid Large 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