Interdependencies Workshop: Long-Term Power Outage

The Coronal Mass Ejection Long-term Power Outage workshop was held in Seattle, Washington on May 23, 2019. Funding was provided by the Washington State Homeland Security Region 6 Critical Infrastructure Working Group from the FFY 2017 State Homeland Security Program from the Department of Homeland Security via Washington State Military Department and King County Office of Emergency Management. It was designed as a full-day workshop that included speakers presenting information on the Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) hazard and warnings systems, impacts from regional power outages, current planning efforts and engagement of the audience in breakout discussions exploring how to address the hazard and mitigate potential impacts.

​This interdependencies workshop focused on a long-term electrical system blackout caused by a CME event striking North America. While most power outage planning revolves around other natural hazard events like windstorms, earthquakes, or terrorism, this exercise took a look at a long-term power outage with widespread impacts to urban, suburban, and rural communities. While concentrating on critical infrastructure, the human impacts to people and systems such as our healthcare institutions was also included in the workshop. Participants were briefed on the current planning the Washington State Department of Commerce Energy Office is conducting on fuel prioritization and hybrid electrical systems. The Washington State Emergency Management Division provided insight on the catastrophic planning conducted by the State to address a CME scenario. 

​NOAA Space Weather Prediction Warning Center estimates a G5 Geomagnetic Storm will cause the following types of impacts:

​Power systems: Widespread voltage control problems and protective system problems can occur, some grid systems may experience complete collapse or blackouts. Transformers may experience damage.
Spacecraft operations: May experience extensive
surface charging, problems with orientation, uplink/downlink and tracking satellites.
Other systems: Pipeline currents can reach hundreds of amps, HF (high frequency) radio propagation may be
impossible in many areas for one to two days, satellite navigation may be degraded for days, low-frequency
radio navigation can be out for hours, and aurora has been seen as low as Florida and southern Texas (typically 40° geomagnetic lat.).

Image: Courtesy NASA

Associated Materials

FEMA Region 10 Power Grid Risk Profile
In 2018, National Preparedness partnered with the DHS Critical Infrastructure Resiliency Institute (CIRI) through the University of Illinois on a Region X Power Grid Risk Profile. The final document has now been released and is available for distribution. The project was a great attempt at peeling back some of the first layers into addressing potential catastrophic power outages in the region. Download the profile.

You may also view a webinar by the lead researcher available here.

U.S. Geological Survey
READ: New U.S. Geological Survey Report Assesses Risk of Once-Per-Century Geomagnetic Superstorm to the Northeastern United States- March 5, 2019

​Electromagnetic Defense Task Force-2018 Report

Read the 2018 Electromagnetic Defense Task Force Report from the United States Air Force Air University and the Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education

Geomagnetic Storm Threat to the Electrical System

View the Geomagnetic Storm Threat to the Electrical System Presentation Here.