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EMP-Shielded Power Grids Under Development

Posted by Soulskill on from the solution-looking-for-a-problem dept.

An anonymous reader writes with this excerpt from MarketWatch: "A one-megaton nuclear bomb detonated 250 miles over Kansas could cripple many modern electronic devices and systems in the continental US and take out the power grid for a long time. ... A solar storm similar to the one that occurred in 1859, which shorted out telegraph wires in the United States and Europe, could wreak havoc on electrical systems. Each of the above scenarios can create a powerful electromagnetic pulse that overloads electronic devices and systems. IAN staff and Frostburg State University physics and engineering professor Hilkat Soysal are teaming — through a $165,000 project recently approved by the Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) program — to create renewable energy-powered, electromagnetic pulse (EMP)-protected microgrids that could provide electricity for critical infrastructure facilities in the event of a disaster." Also available are an EMP threat assessment (PDF) written for the US Congress and an estimate of economic impact (PDF).

6 of 111 comments (clear)

  1. Exactly by iamdrscience · · Score: 5, Funny

    Why settle for tin foil hats when you can have tin foil powerplants, houses, cars, etc. It just makes sense.

  2. Omega Man by p51d007 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Sometimes I wish we could throw away technology, and go back to the old days...less stress. Just as long as they don't take my cell phone, wi-fi, internet, DVD's LOL.

  3. Pork by bsane · · Score: 3, Funny

    through a $165,000 project recently approved by the Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) program

    Sounds like pork to me... I hope McCaine shuts this down!

  4. Still inventing war-tech, guys? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Soon nobody will want to waste an expensive bomb on your broke asses anyway.

  5. IAN? by definate · · Score: 3, Funny

    Am I the only one who read "IAN staff" as "I Am Not staff" and then thought I am not staff? That doesn't make sense. Fucking slashdot summary!

    Ohhhhh... wait a minute... I.A.N... fucking slashdot abbreviations!

    --
    This is my footer. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
  6. Re:And of course the critical power lines would... by philspear · · Score: 2, Funny

    Just more terrorism from those we pay taxes to.

    It's a trick! He's from the USSR, just trying to get us to stop paying our taxes, THEN the commies will win!