With a new study showing that a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse attack could have regional or local effects on power delivery, electric cooperatives and the electric utility industry are working with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies to protect the country’s electric grid.
The Electric Power Research Institute recently released a report that analyzes the impact on the grid of certain simulated high-altitude electromagnetic pulse, or HEMP, events.
“For years, the electric sector has been preparing for the possibility of events that could impact grid operations,” said Jim Spiers, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s senior vice president for business and technology strategies. Co-ops are also partnering with the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and the U.S. Department of Energy to have preparations in place for electromagnetic pulse incidents.
“Simulations and analyses like this help the electric industry enhance preparedness, safety, grid resiliency and reliability,” Spiers said. “America’s electric cooperatives work closely with EPRI.” Its research will continue in 2018.
Michael Howard, EPRI president and CEO, said, “We will continue on this path as we identify and test cost-effective measures to reduce grid vulnerability to a HEMP event.”