Developing Regional GIC Hazard Tools for Power Utility Planning and Operations

Geomagnetically induced current (GIC) hazard is a recognized threat to the United States power system. Federal models to support hazard specification and prediction for critical infrastructure are at an advanced state, including models of space weather, the Earth’s conductive structure, and regional geoelectric field. We propose to use existing NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (NOAA-SWPC) model output of surface geoelectric fields to produce a value-added local index for GIC hazard in support of growing power industry needs, and gain feedback on the effectiveness of these new tools from operational and planning perspectives through the use of a power industry beta tester panel.