Monitoring solar magnetic disturbances in power systems (a summary)

Efforts to monitor the effects of geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) due to solar magnetic disturbances (SMD) in the US are discussed. The efforts began anew after the March 13, 1989 disturbance. Existing and proposed GIC monitoring stations are described, and the monitoring program is briefly summarized. It includes transformer, capacitor, and shunt-reactor monitoring as well as Earth-surface potential and magnetic-field measurements. A coordinated communications facility monitoring widespread SMD effects with the SUNBURST system proposed by EPRI is recommended.<
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