Disturbances in the U.S. electric grid associated with geomagnetic activity

TL;DR

This study quantifies the impact of geomagnetic activity caused by solar explosions on the U.S. electric grid from 1992 to 2010, showing a significant correlation between space weather and power disturbances.

Contribution

It provides a retrospective analysis linking geomagnetic activity to power grid disturbances, quantifying the impact with statistical significance.

Findings

Approximately 4% of reported power grid disturbances are due to geomagnetic activity.

Strong geomagnetic activity significantly correlates with increased power grid disturbances.

The analysis covers data from 1992 to 2010, establishing a long-term impact assessment.

Abstract

Large solar explosions are responsible for space weather that can impact technological infrastructure on and around Earth. Here, we apply a retrospective cohort exposure analysis to quantify the impacts of geomagnetic activity on the U.S. electric power grid for the period from 1992 through 2010. We find, with more than 3-sigma significance, that approximately 4% of the disturbances in the U.S. power grid reported to the U.S. Department of Energy are attributable to strong geomagnetic activity and its associated geomagnetically induced currents.