A Methodology to Assess the Effects of Magnetohydrodynamic Electromagnetic Pulse (MHD-EMP) on Power Systems

Abstract

This paper summarizes a method to evaluate the possible effects of magnetohydrodynamic-eiectromagnetic pulse (MHD-EMP) on power systems. This method is based on the approach adapted to study the impact of geomagnetic storms on power systems. The paper highlights the similarities and differences between the two phenomena. Also presented are areas of concern which are anticipated from MHD-EMP on the overall system operation.

Mitigation of Magnetohydrodynamic Electromagnetic Pulse (MHD-EMP) Effects from Commercial Electric Power Systems

“…This injection current was about 15.9 times the normal transformer excitation current. It was also found that for a dc current level equal to 15 times the transformer exciting current, an injection time period of about 15 seconds will be below the threshold of damage 1 .…”

“…A large nuclear detonation at altitudes of several hundred kilometers above the earth will distort the earth's magnetic field, resulting in a strong magnetohydrodynamic electromagnetic pulse (MHD-EMP) 1 . This electromagnetic (EM) environment is also referred to as E 3 , since it is the third EM field component-occurring at late times-that characterizes the high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) produced by an exoatmospheric nuclear burst.…”

Nuclear Magnetohydrodynamic Emp, Solar Storms, and Substorms

“…The induced electric field shown in Fig. 6 was derived by sampling and linear interpolation from the magnetometer data of Legro et al [21] Rackliffe et al [22] also looked at the effects of MHD EMP, as did Klein et al [23] We will describe the power delivery system model for the study of geomagnetic disturbances. The model is based on a time domain simulation algorithm similar to the EMTP (ElectroMagnetic Transients Program).…”

Down to Earth With Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse: Realistic Surface Impedance Affects Mapping of the E3 Geoelectric Hazard

“…Time‐dependent maps of E3 EMP geoelectric fields can, in principle, be obtained by convolving a model of bomb‐generated geomagnetic disturbance with estimates of the Earth‐surface impedance tensor field. In developing such maps, numerical methods pioneered in the 1980s by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have been widely influential (Barnes, Rizy, et al., 1993; Legro et al., 1985, 1986). ORNL's methods have been used in numerous E3 scenario mapping projects across the conterminous United States (CONUS) (e.g., Electric Power Research Institute, 2017; Electromagnetic Pulse Commission, 2017; Gilbert et al., 2010; International Electrotechnical Commission, 1996; Lee et al., 2019; Rackliffe et al., 1988; Tesche et al., 1991), and these maps have been used in projects for assessing the vulnerability of power grids to the E3 hazard (e.g., Barnes, Tesche, et al., 1993; Electric Power Research Institute, 2019; Electromagnetic Pulse Commission, 2017; Tesche et al., 1991).…”