Ground-based magnetometer arrays and geomagnetically induced currents in power grids: science and operations

Space weather impacts on worldwide technological infrastructures are likely to be at their greatest between 2012 and 2015, during the peak and early descending phase of the current solar cycle. Examples of infrastructures at risk include power grids, pipelines, railways, communications, satellite operations, high latitude air travel and global navigation satellite systems. For example, severe magnetic storms in March 1989 and October 2003, near the peaks of recent solar cycles, were particularly significant in causing problems for a wide variety of technologies. Further back in time, severe storms in September 1859 and May 1921 are known to have been a problem for the more rudimentary technologies of the time. In this talk we will review how magnetic observatory data can best contribute to ongoing efforts to develop new space weather data products, particularly in aiding the management of electrical power transmission networks. Examples of existing and perhaps some suggestions for new data products and services will be given. Throughout, the need for near to real time data will be emphasised. We will also emphasise the importance of developing regional magnetometer networks and promoting magnetic data sharing to help turn research into operations. Developing research consortia, for example as in the European EURISGIC GIC project (www.eurisgic.eu), where magnetic and other data, as well as expertise, is pooled and shared is also recommended and adds to our ability to monitor the dynamic state of magnetospheric and ionospheric currents. We will discuss how industry currently perceives the space weather hazard, using recent examples from the power industry, where the concerns are with the risk to high voltage transformers and the safe and uninterrupted distribution of electrical power. Industry measurements of geomagnetic induced currents (GIC) are also vital for the validation of scientific models of the flow of GIC in power systems. Examples of GIC data sources and their scientific use will be given. Acknowledgments: National Grid and Scottish Power; EURISGIC colleagues and partners; institutes worldwide operating magnetic observatories.