Speaker
Description
Dynamic spatiotemporal variations in the electrical currents flowing in the ionosphere and near-Earth space result in rapid fluctuations in the time derivative of the geomagnetic field at ground level. Given the conductive nature of the ground, geomagnetic induction generates a geoelectric field capable of inducing an undesired current when aligned with a large-scale conductor on the ground, known as Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs). As a high-latitude nation, Sweden experiences large amplitude geoelectric fields due to the intense and dynamic auroral currents and significant variations in ground conductivity on both local and national scales. Consequently, there have been GIC-related disturbances in the Swedish power grid, the most severe being the well-known Malmö blackout, but more recently in May 2024.
Previous projects have vastly improved our knowledge of geoelectric fields and GICs in Sweden. These have led to two recent projects funded by the Swedish Research Council and the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research. These projects build on these past results with the goal to benchmark extreme geoelectric fields, understand specific power grid disturbances, and identify key risk areas. This poster gives a summary of these key results.
