Using the Power Grid for Geophysical Imaging

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (with the support of the U.S. electric transmission industry) has developed a system that provides real-time data about geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) that flow in power grids during space weather storms. These currents can be a hazard for reliable transmission of electricity. In addition to monitoring GIC for hazard mitigation, this technology also enables the grid to serve as an antenna to study space weather phenomena. The system extracts from the grid information about continental-scale geoelectric fields and ionospheric/magnetospheric electric currents. These are used to build unprecedented spatiotemporal pictures of near-space physical phenomena. Power system operators can use the real-time data for situational awareness about GICs. This information can guide mitigation actions power companies may take.