During geomagnetic storms the beautiful aurora borealis, or northern lights, are visible at high latitudes. However, geomagnetic storms can also cause risks to the power grid. (Source: Joshua Strang, US Air Force)
Researchers discovered that 3D structures and models of the Earth are one of the most accurate ways for scientists to figure out which parts of the United States are vulnerable to blackouts during storms.
Space weather events, like geomagnetic storms, have the ability to disturb the magnetic field of the Earth. This can affect electric power grids, radio communication, GPS systems, satellite operations, oil and gas drilling and air travel. Basically, it can affect the entire way that humans live their lives.
Currently, scientists use models of the Earth’s structure and measurements of the magnetic field from USGS observatories to figure out which areas of the electrical grid may lose power during a geomagnetic storm. Previously, the models used were 2D, which has limited the accuracy of the results.
Recently scientists have developed 3D models to use in their studies of geomagnetic storms. Using these models, the team found that the voltages previously calculated were very different from the voltages taken using 1D calculations. They also found that the 3D data produced the most accurate results.
"Using the most accurate data available to determine vulnerable areas of the power grid can help maintain life-saving communications and protect national security during severe geomagnetic storms," said Greg Lucas, a USGS scientist and the lead author of the study. "Our study suggests that 3D data of the earth should be used whenever they are available."
"This discrepancy between 1D- and 3D-based calculations of the 1989 storm demonstrates the importance of realistic data, rather than relying on previous 1D models, to determine the impact that a geomagnetic storm has on power grids," Lucas said.
A paper on this research was published in the journal Space Weather.
