NASA has long been a leader in understanding the science of space weather, including research into the potential for induced electric currents to disrupt our power systems. Last year, NASA scientists worked with scientists and engineers from research institutions and industry during a pair of intensive week-long workshops in order to assess the state of science surrounding this type of space weather. This summary was published Jan. 30, 2017, in the journal Space Weather.
Storms from the sun can affect our power grids, railway systems and underground pipelines through a phenomenon called geomagnetically induced currents, or GICs. The sun regularly releases a constant stream of magnetic solar material called the solar wind, along with occasional huge clouds of solar material called coronal mass ejections. This material interacts with Earth’s magnetic field, causing temporary changes. That temporary change to the magnetic field can create electric currents just under Earth’s surface. These are GICs.
Long, thin, metal structures near Earth’s surface — such as underground pipelines, railroads and power lines — can act as giant wires for these currents, causing electricity to flow long distances underground. This electric current can cause problems for all three structures, and it’s especially difficult to manage in power systems, where controlling the amount of electric current is key for keeping the lights on. Under extreme conditions, GICs can cause temporary blackouts, which means that studying space weather is a crucial component for emergency management.
See Also
Alternating Current
Apparatus For Producing Electric Currents of High Frequency and Potential - 568176
celestial current
Chapter XIX - Induced Imagination
Chapter XX - Induced Imagination in India
current
current of motion
Direct Current
Dominant Current
eddy current
electric current
electric current of motion
Etheric Current
Figure 18.10 - Currents of Mind Force
Figure 7B.19 - Magnetic Lines of Force developed from Induction of Current Flow
harmonic current
magnetism
magnetism-generating
Method of Obtaining Direct from Alternating Currents - 413353
negative current
POLAR CURRENT
positive current
sympathetic current
terrestrial current
12.03 - Russell scale divisions correspond to Keelys three-way division of currents
13.06 - Triple Currents of Electricity
13.11 - Triple Currents and Streams
14.04 - Thirds as Currents
15.10 - Dissociating Water with Alternating Current - Puharich
16.25 - Magnetic Attraction caused by Dominant Current of Electrical Stream
16.27 - Induced Metallic Attraction that is not Magnetism
16.29 - Triple Currents of Electricity