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Establishing the Geomagnetic Disturbance Benchmark Event for Evaluation of the Space Weather Hazard on Power Grids

This article discusses the development of standards for geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) and explores the key characteristics of extreme geoelectric fields, including amplitude, spatial structure, and temporal waveform. It also considers the factors that contribute to geomagnetic induction and the spatial scales of high-latitude geoelectric fields. The proposed approach for the GMD scenario includes elements such as amplitude, spatial structure, reference temporal waveform, geomagnetic latitude dependence, and dependence on local ground conductivity. This information is crucial for engineering analyses of the impact of GIC on power grids.

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Establishing the Geomagnetic Disturbance Benchmark Event for Evaluation of the Space Weather Hazard on Power Grids

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  1. Establishing the Geomagnetic Disturbance Benchmark Event for Evaluation of the Space Weather Hazard on Power Grids Space Weather Research Center • Pulkkinen • (antti.a.pulkkinen@nasa.gov) NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

  2. Background • Following the FERC Order No. 779, NERC is coordinating the development of geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) standards. • The space physical and geophysical extreme event analyses are the foundation for subsequent engineering analyses. • The question about extreme GIC of interest also from the basic science viewpoint. The extreme event studies challenge our understanding of the space weather phenomena.

  3. Requirements for the GMD scenario • Science side needs to provide information about a physical parameter that is directly applicable to further engineering analyses. (geoelectric field) • We need to address the following key characteristics of the extreme geoelectric fields: • Amplitude. • Spatial structure including directionality and appropriate spatial scale lengths. • Temporal waveform. • Science analyses also need to characterize the occurrence rates of i-iii. (Element 1) (Element 2) (Element 3)

  4. Key ingredients from the geophysical standpoint • The geomagnetic induction process that generates the geoelectric field is dependent on external and internal factors: • Many different near space electric currents systems contribute to driving of geomagnetic induction. The effect of the geomagnetic latitude needs to be taken into account. • The local ground conductivity dictates the ground response. Local geology needs to be taken into account. (Element 4) (Element 5)

  5. Spatial scales • Spatial structure of storm-time high-latitude geoelectric fields can be very complex. • Spatiotemporally localized geoelectric field features are common. Snapshot of the March 1989 storm (1-min global data)

  6. Spatial scales • Since wide-area effects caused by a severe GMD are of main interest, we need to approach the statistics from a new angle  spatially averaged fields. Visual extrapolation to 1-in-100 year amplitudes Occurrence of spatially averaged ~500 km scale high-latitude geoelectric field amplitudes (data for 1993-2012 used)

  7. Proposed approach for the GMD scenario • Element 1: amplitude • Element 2: spatial structure • Element 3: reference temporal waveform • Element 4: geomagnetic latitude dependence • Element 5: depedence on the local ground conductivity Scaling factor for the drop between 40-60 deg Scaling factors for different physiographic regions Data acknowledgements: USGS, NRCan, FMI

  8. Summary • GMD scenarios are necessary for engineering analyses of the GIC impact. • Inclusion of appropriate spatial scales of the geomagnetic induction phenomenon is important for the hazards assessments. • NERC GMD Standards Drafting Team has proposed an approach that addresses 5 key elements of the GIC phenomenon – white papers on the topic will be posted soon.

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