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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).

4 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.

    1. Re:Exactly by adrianwn · · Score: 5, Insightful

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 Instead, the money should be invested in renewing the outdated grid in the USA [2,3].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

  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. 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.