Electromagnetic Threats to the National Power Grid

摘要

This article reflects the findings and opinions of the author and is not meant to identify the position of the Department of Defense (DOD), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), or electric power industry. First, the article describes a typical power grid. Next, it identifies the basic elements of the national power grid (NPC). Then, it identifies potential NPG vulnerabilities and discusses the importance of protection options for specific types of electromagnetic (EM) threats. The vulnerability of the NPG is also discussed from a political standpoint.rnThe NPG is now so fundamental to U.S. infrastructure that, without it, the national economy would collapse and the health of the civilian population would be at risk. This scenario is possible, given that the NPG is vulnerable to several natural threats and an ever-growing number of man-made ones. Damage to key nodes in just a single region could take months-even years-to resolve.