Otis Singleton
Solar storms are rare but powerful events that can cause electrical grid failures and power outages. The impact of these storms on electricity is mainly due to the induced currents they generate, which can exceed 100 amperes and flow into electrical components like transformers, relays, and sensors. These geomagnetically induced currents can cause internal damage, leading to large-scale blackouts. The Carrington Event, a significant geomagnetic storm in 1859, caused telegraph systems worldwide to fail, with operators receiving electrical shocks and equipment catching fire. Today, with our increasing reliance on electricity and technology, such disruptions could result in significant economic losses and risks to critical systems. Preparing for and mitigating the effects of solar storms on electricity infrastructure is crucial to minimize potential damage and ensure the resilience of power grids.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Impact on electrical systems | Power and internet outages, GPS communication disruptions, damage to satellites, power surges, voltage control problems, component failures, blackouts, and transformer failures |
| Preventative measures | Installing devices to shield vulnerable equipment, developing strategies for adjusting grid loads, uninterruptible power supplies, and surge protection devices |
| Potential consequences | Monetary loss, risk to life, and physical damage |
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Power Outages
Solar storms can cause power outages by damaging electrical grids and transformers. Geomagnetic storms trigger high amounts of cosmic rays in the Earth's upper atmosphere, which in turn produce carbon-14, a radioactive isotope of carbon. These geomagnetically induced currents can exceed 100 amperes and flow into electrical components connected to the grid, such as transformers, relays, and sensors. Currents of this size can cause internal damage to these components, leading to large-scale power outages.
The impact of solar storms on power grids was observed in Quebec, Canada, in March 1989, when a geomagnetic storm caused the Hydro-Quebec electrical grid to collapse, resulting in a 9-hour power outage for 5 million people. In May 2024, a G5-rated geomagnetic storm on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's scale disrupted GPS communications and tractor guidance systems.
To prepare for potential power outages caused by solar storms, federal agencies and grid operators in vulnerable regions, such as Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, should consider implementing the following measures:
- Installing uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems: UPS is a backup system that can protect hardware and critical data during power outages. It detects power loss and switches to battery power until longer-term emergency backup systems are available.
- Using surge protection devices: These devices shield sensitive equipment from power surges, spikes, or transients by diverting excess energy away, thus minimizing potential damage or data loss.
- Employing industrial-grade devices: Companies like Schneider Electric, Leviton, and Tripp Lite offer industrial-grade surge protection devices that comply with relevant safety and performance standards.
- Regular testing and maintenance: It is crucial to regularly test and maintain UPS and surge protection devices to ensure their effectiveness during actual power outages. This includes functional testing, response time testing, surge current testing, and battery capacity testing.
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Internet Disruptions
Solar storms can have a significant impact on the internet and overall connectivity. A powerful solar flare can cause a large geomagnetic storm, resulting in disruptions to online services, mobiles, satellites, electrical grids, and other electronic devices.
The impact of a solar storm on the internet can be understood through the concept of "coronal mass ejections" (CMEs). These CMEs involve the Sun ejecting billions of tonnes of magnetised plasma into space at incredibly high speeds of up to 11,000,000 kilometres per hour. While CMEs are common, they are usually released within a narrow arc, and the likelihood of a large CME hitting the Earth is relatively low. However, if a significant CME were to strike the Earth, it could have detrimental effects on the electronics in orbiting satellites, causing disruptions to navigation and communication systems, including GPS and time synchronisation.
Undersea internet cables, which are essential for global internet connectivity, are particularly vulnerable to solar storm damage. These cables rely on repeaters placed at regular intervals to amplify the optical signal and ensure data integrity during transmission. While the fibre optic cable itself is not directly affected by geomagnetically induced currents, the electronic components of the repeaters are susceptible. Consequently, if enough repeaters fail due to geomagnetic disturbances, an entire undersea cable can become inoperable, leading to significant disruptions in global internet connectivity.
The potential impact of solar storms on the internet highlights the importance of preparedness and resilience. Scientists and researchers emphasise the need for continued research and the development of protective measures to safeguard vulnerable equipment and critical infrastructure. By understanding the risks and implementing appropriate strategies, we can enhance the resilience of the internet and mitigate the potential disruptions caused by solar storms.
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GPS Communications
Solar storms can have a significant impact on GPS communications, affecting both civilian and military applications. GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a satellite-based navigation system that provides positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services to users worldwide. It is used in a wide range of sectors, including aviation, maritime, agriculture, and land navigation.
During a solar storm, the sun releases an unusually massive amount of energy in the form of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These events consist of electromagnetic radiation, charged particles, and magnetic fields. When these charged particles and radiation reach Earth, they can cause fluctuations in the ionosphere, a layer of the upper atmosphere. The ionosphere is critical for GPS satellite signals as they pass through it to reach receivers on the ground.
The impact of solar storms on the ionosphere can lead to several disruptions in GPS communications. Firstly, the supercharged ionosphere can degrade or temporarily interrupt satellite links. This degradation can affect the accuracy and reliability of GPS signals, particularly for high-accuracy positioning services used in aviation and maritime navigation. Additionally, fluctuations in the ionosphere can block or degrade radio transmissions that rely on high-frequency radio airwaves to communicate with satellites. These disruptions can impact emergency management agencies, the military, and industries such as agriculture and oil and gas, which depend on accurate GPS data.
Furthermore, solar storms can also affect the satellites themselves. The increased density of gases in the upper atmosphere during a storm can cause resistance, leading to a loss of altitude for satellites in low Earth orbit. In some cases, the intense solar radiation and charged particles can damage or destroy satellites, as seen in the 2022 Space X Starlink mission where 40 out of 49 satellites were destroyed by a solar flare.
It is worth noting that the severity of the impact on GPS communications depends on the intensity and direction of the solar storm. Mild solar storms can sometimes cause more issues for GPS satellites than rarer, more powerful events. Additionally, the frequency and intensity of solar storms follow an approximately 11-year cycle, with the next peak expected between November 2024 and March 2026.
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Satellites
During a solar storm, the ionosphere is disturbed, which in turn disturbs radio communications. Both intense radio emissions from flares and changes in the atmosphere can degrade satellite communications, for example, the precision of Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements can be degraded. The increase in solar activity also causes the atmosphere to expand outward, changing the density of the atmosphere where satellites are orbiting. This creates drag on a satellite, which slows it down. If it isn't manoeuvred to a higher orbit, it can fall back to Earth.
Geomagnetic storms can also induce currents in power lines, which can cause damage to power grids. This can, in turn, cause damage to satellites, messing up their communications and navigation equipment. Currents induced by geomagnetic storms can also burn out the circuit boards of satellites, leading to disruptions in satellite-based telephone, internet, radio and television.
Engineers are working to better understand the risks and defend satellites against them. Some of the risks can be minimized by shielding electronics from radiation or developing materials that are more resistant to radiation.
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Power Grid Protection
Solar storms can have a significant impact on electricity and power grids. The Earth's magnetic field is usually effective at blocking the charged particles emitted by the sun. However, during a solar storm, the sun emits an explosive burst of charged particles that can make their way to Earth and cause geomagnetic disturbances. These disturbances can distort the Earth's magnetic field, inducing electrical currents that flow through power transmission lines and equipment, such as transformers, relays, and sensors. These geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) can exceed 100 amperes, equivalent to the electrical service provided to many households. As a result, GICs can cause internal damage to electrical components, leading to large-scale power outages.
Protecting power grids from solar storms is a complex task due to the unpredictable nature of these events and our limited ability to forecast them accurately. However, researchers and engineers are actively working on developing strategies and technologies to minimize the impact of solar storms on power grids. Here are some key approaches to power grid protection:
- Neutral Blocking Devices (NBDs): NBDs are designed to block or mitigate the effects of GICs on power transformers. They are installed at strategic locations within the power system to reduce the flow of GICs into transformers and other critical components. NBDs help prevent physical damage to transformers, voltage drops, and overheating issues.
- Connecting Transformers and Rotating Machinery: By connecting all transformers and rotating machinery in parallel, the loading on each component can be reduced. This approach distributes the impact of a solar storm across multiple components, potentially preventing overload and failure.
- Adjusting Grid Loads: Developing strategies to adjust grid loads in anticipation of an incoming solar storm can help minimize disruptions. This may involve reducing high-voltage direct current (HVDC) line loadings or freeing up reactive power by switching off shunt reactor banks.
- Shielding Vulnerable Equipment: Installing shielding devices to protect sensitive equipment, such as transformers, can help prevent internal damage caused by induced currents during a solar storm.
- Improving Forecasting and Early Warning Systems: Improving our ability to forecast and detect solar storms can provide valuable lead time for grid operators to prepare. This includes launching dedicated satellites, such as the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR), to monitor solar activity and provide early warnings.
- Research and Innovation: Collaborating with grid owners, vendors, and researchers to study the impact of solar storms on ageing power grid infrastructure is crucial. This knowledge can inform the development of effective tools and processes to mitigate the effects of solar storms on power grids.
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Frequently asked questions
A solar storm, also known as a geomagnetic storm, occurs when particles from the sun strike Earth's magnetic field.
Geomagnetic storms generate induced currents, which flow through the electrical grid. These induced currents can cause internal damage to electrical components, leading to large-scale power outages.
Solar storms occur on an 11-year cycle. The current solar cycle, spanning from 2020 to 2031, is expected to peak in geomagnetic activity in July 2025.
To protect against the effects of solar storms, strategies such as installing shielding devices for vulnerable equipment and adjusting grid loads in advance can be employed. Additionally, federal agencies can utilize uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and surge protection devices to safeguard their systems from disruptions caused by solar storms.
