MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Abstract—Solar flares can induce ground currents in the earth that can cause electrical grid failure. Due to Northern Pennsylvania’s geographical location, ground conductivity, and physical electrical grid, Northern Pennsylvania is acutely threated by geomagnetically induced currents (GICs). This paper uses historical data to simulation the effect of GICs on transformers and the electrical grid to discuss the consequences of GICs in the context of the electric grid in Northern Pennsylvania. Electrical grid failure can be devastating due to the reliance on power today. Electrical grid failure puts consumers in danger at traffic lights, the hospital and at home. To mitigate the inevitable damage from GICs, practical solutions such as infrastructure improvements, and policy recommendations are presented for policy makers to implement.


Reader Profile:
I imagine the policy makers in northern Pennsylvania weighing the risks of GICs against the cost of preventing the damage of GICs.

Reader Response:
It looks like GICs are inevitable. It looks like GICs will cause damage to our physical electrical grid in the near future given that the sun goes through cycles of activity. Infrastructure improvement looks like a viable solution to the problem but what is the cost analysis? Is upgrading the grid worth the cost of fixing the damage? It seems that simply endorsing policy measures that are already in the works is an easy way to reduce the risks of GICs at little to no cost to consumers.

G -- you do not have to take this on fully, but what are the rough costs? And, who pays? As in, who owns the grid?

If you cannot address these big elephants in the living room, at least punt with some appropriate language: "...not the goal of this analysis..." and ""...important but beyond the scope of this technical analysis...." or some such phrase.