Last year in EMP Defeats the Hardened Data Center, I noted:
NASA reported in Hazards of Severe Space Weather that, "The sun is currently near the minimum of its 11-year activity cycle. It is expected that solar storms will increase in frequency and intensity toward the next solar maximum, expected to occur around 2012." Recently, I saw a news release, Power companies prepare as solar storms set to hit Earth.
The storms are just reaching earth and as the article mentions, As these storms reach earth and intensify reaching the "solar maximum," some will wonder and ponder whether or not their systems will be affected. Earlier this summer the Space Weather Enterprise Forum (SWEF) members met to discuss the same things: Solar Maximum: Can We Weather the Storm? NASA Science News, Dr. Tony Phillips reports in, Getting Ready for the Next Big Solar Storm
"A similar storm today might knock us for a loop," says Lika Guhathakurta, a solar physicist at NASA headquarters. "Modern society depends on high-tech systems such as smart power grids, GPS, and satellite communications--all of which are vulnerable to solar storms."
Then in my last post, Harden Your Power Defenses, I wrote about the changes to whole panel protection and the UL1449 3rd Generation changes. I noted that those with whole panel protection in the data center and industrial uses should consider using SPDs (Surge Protection Devices) downstream from their utility feed. This places the primary SPD between the utility and your gear--flywheel or UPS. An SPD is almost always cheaper to replace than most other components downstream. The SWEF members discussed a first line of defense against space-generated EMP by placing devices on utility transformers that would detect EMP and shut down affected portions of the grid. It's better to shut down the grid or a mass section of it than to spend months/years rebuilding it and replacing damaged gear caused from a low/mid-level or catastrophic EMP hit. The utility companies are still in discussion stages. Chuck Manto, President of Instant Access Networks illustrates in the slide "Infrastructure Impacts" how long it would take to recover from either natural or man-made EMP.
For more information, alerts or to see space weather, visit the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) here. The SWPC uses three classifications for space weather:
* Geomagnetic Storms--disturbances in the geomagnetic field caused by gusts in the solar wind that blows by Earth
* Solar Radiation Storms--elevated levels of radiation that occur when the numbers of energetic particles increase
* Radio Blackouts--disturbances of the ionosphere caused by X-ray emissions from the Sun.
Each is rated G1-G5 (Geomagnetic), S1-S5 (Solar Radiation) and R1-R5 (Radio Blackout) and the intensity levels are 1-5 where 1 = Minor, 2 = Moderate, 3 = Strong, 4 = Severe, and 5 = Extreme. These are shown as the NOAA Space Weather Scales. SWEF expects the peak of solar activity in 2013.
