EMP-Shielded Power Grids Under Development

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).

Comments

Exactly

[iamdrscience]

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

Re:Exactly

[adrianwn]

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.

I don't mean to troll, but you don't need a nuclear bomb to take out the power grid [1,3]. Instead, the money should be invested in renewing the outdated grid in the USA [2,3].

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_North_America_blackout

[2] http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/26/business/grid.php

[3] http://www.pubrecord.org/nationworld/239-5-years-after-blackout-power-grid-still-in-dire-straits.html

Re:Exactly

[mpe]

I don't mean to troll, but you don't need a nuclear bomb to take out the power grid [1,3].

There arn't too many people who have both 1MT nuclear weapons and the ability to get them to 250 miles above Kansas either. Also AFAIK none of those with such an ability are likely to only use one weapon. This is something which is unlikely to happen, but should it happen the US is likely to have bigger problems than a non functional power grid.

Instead, the money should be invested in renewing the outdated grid in the USA [2,3].

That actually makes sense. Especially if at the same time you also add generating capacity where it has not previously been. Regardless of if this is of a new form, e.g. wind/solar/etc. or coal/methane/nuclear/etc.

Omega Man

[p51d007]

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.

Re:Omega Man

[4D6963]

*We* can. Those of *us* who choose to do it join communities such as the Amish. It's only up to you to choose that lifestyle. And technology doesn't cause stress, having a job does. That's why I don't have one, ahem I mean, I'm self employed.

Re:Omega Man

[sortius_nod]

And technology doesn't cause stress, we do.

Fixed that for you.

And of course the critical power lines would....

[3seas]

... be supporting the governments and their military for which an EMP would most likely come from.

Just more terrorism from those we pay taxes to.

Pork

[bsane]

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!

Still inventing war-tech, guys?

[Anonymous Coward]

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

IAN?

[definate]

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!

Re:underground

[Anonymous Coward]

Not unless they are very very deep. Cables are usually more conductive than the ground. The EMP will continue deep into the ground, and will be picked up by cables like a several miles long antenna.

Nice

[mysidia]

that could provide electricity for critical infrastructure facilities in the event of a disaster."

"Critical infrastructure" had better include the Wal-marts, fire, police, gas stations...

And most importantly: the internet.

The potential effects of a massive EMP or power outage are so bad, that the traditional notion of "critical infrastructure" may not be enough.

I.E. If businesses are down (no power) for months, then you have a situation where people can't purchase essential supplies, AND since a large EMP would effect a large area, noone nearby can spare them.

Re:Stupid scaremongering

[AudioInfecktion]

What do they teach kids in schools these days. Let me explain. The scenario is the detonation of a 1 megaton nuclear device at 250 miles. That's in space, btw. It would not directly kill a single person. When that happens the EMP field would actually cover the US and a good chunk of Canada, and parts of Mexico. Wait, he's gonna say that I'm full of crap.... proof: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_altitude_nuclear_explosion Look at the effects while you're there. And if you say that it can't happen.... You'll see that it already has been done.

How about Hurricane Resistant Power Grids?

[jefftp]

Hurricane Ike knocked out power across Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. We need to divert this money away from worrying about preventing a power grid outage due to an extremely unlikely nuclear strike and towards finding ways to keep natural, regularly occuring forces from bringing down power for 6 million people across the center of the US.

Don't need a nuke to make an EMP

[Khyber]

There are many other ways to form EMPs. The problem is making them powerful enough. A shorted out magnetotron in a microwave generates enough EM to screw up any nearby electronics (blew out my microwave, killed my computer, TV, router, and stereo. Everything else in other rooms were fine, just the kitchen and living room were affected, and they're on separate circuits.)