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Title: Impacts of a nominal nuclear electromagnetic pulse on electric power systems; A probabilistic approach

Abstract

This paper reports on a high-altitude nuclear detonation several hundred kilometers above the central United States that will subject much of the nation to an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) consisting of intense steep-front short-duration transient electromagnetic fields followed by a geomagnetic disturbance with a duration of tens of seconds. Since 1983, the Department of energy has been actively pursuing a research program to assess the potential impacts of one or more EMP events on the nation's electric energy supply. A nominal EMP environment suitable for assessing geographically large systems has been used to provide an indication of EMP impacts on electric power systems. It was found that a single high-altitude burst, which significantly disturbs the geomagnetic field, could cause significant load and generation loss, but permanent damage would be isolated. Multiple bursts would increase the disturbance. Nevertheless, based on the effects of a nominal EMP environment, a long term blackout is not expected since major components such as power transformers are not likely to be damaged.

Authors:
; ;  [1];  [2]
  1. ABB Power Systems Inc., Pittsburgh, PA (US)
  2. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
5775911
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 6:3; Journal ID: ISSN 0885-8977
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION; ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSES; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS; POWER SYSTEMS; DISTURBANCES; PLANNING; RESEARCH PROGRAMS; TRANSFORMERS; PERFORMANCE TESTING; BLACKOUTS; DETONATION WAVES; ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS; PROBABILISTIC ESTIMATION; TRANSIENTS; ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT; ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION; EQUIPMENT; PULSES; RADIATIONS; SHOCK WAVES; TESTING; 240500* - Power Transmission & Distribution- Environmental Aspects- (1990-); 240100 - Power Systems- (1990-)

Citation Formats

Kruse, V J, Nickel, D L, Taylor, Jr, E R, and Barnes, P R. Impacts of a nominal nuclear electromagnetic pulse on electric power systems; A probabilistic approach. United States: N. p., 1991. Web. doi:10.1109/61.85874.
Kruse, V J, Nickel, D L, Taylor, Jr, E R, & Barnes, P R. Impacts of a nominal nuclear electromagnetic pulse on electric power systems; A probabilistic approach. United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/61.85874
Kruse, V J, Nickel, D L, Taylor, Jr, E R, and Barnes, P R. 1991. "Impacts of a nominal nuclear electromagnetic pulse on electric power systems; A probabilistic approach". United States. https://doi.org/10.1109/61.85874.
@article{osti_5775911,
title = {Impacts of a nominal nuclear electromagnetic pulse on electric power systems; A probabilistic approach},
author = {Kruse, V J and Nickel, D L and Taylor, Jr, E R and Barnes, P R},
abstractNote = {This paper reports on a high-altitude nuclear detonation several hundred kilometers above the central United States that will subject much of the nation to an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) consisting of intense steep-front short-duration transient electromagnetic fields followed by a geomagnetic disturbance with a duration of tens of seconds. Since 1983, the Department of energy has been actively pursuing a research program to assess the potential impacts of one or more EMP events on the nation's electric energy supply. A nominal EMP environment suitable for assessing geographically large systems has been used to provide an indication of EMP impacts on electric power systems. It was found that a single high-altitude burst, which significantly disturbs the geomagnetic field, could cause significant load and generation loss, but permanent damage would be isolated. Multiple bursts would increase the disturbance. Nevertheless, based on the effects of a nominal EMP environment, a long term blackout is not expected since major components such as power transformers are not likely to be damaged.},
doi = {10.1109/61.85874},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5775911}, journal = {IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States)},
issn = {0885-8977},
number = ,
volume = 6:3,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991},
month = {Mon Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1991}
}