Impacts of a nominal nuclear electromagnetic pulse on electric power systems; A probabilistic approach
- ABB Power Systems Inc., Pittsburgh, PA (US)
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
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.
- OSTI ID:
- 5775911
- Journal Information:
- IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (United States), Vol. 6:3; ISSN 0885-8977
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
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-)