Friday, December 29, 2017

About That Zombie Apocalypse...


So are they saying an EMP grid shutdown catalyst is unlikely? [More]

I'm a little rusty on my Martian...

[Via Matthew L]

Posted by David Codrea at 12/29/2017 12:15:00 PM

3 comments:

Henry said...

No, they’re saying that a national grid shutdown is unlikely from “magnetohydrodynamic EMP (low-frequency electric field at the earth’s surface, or E3)” ALONE.

However, “this effort did not consider the potential contribution to voltage collapse that damage resulting from early-time electromagnetic pulse (E1) or intermediate-time electromagnetic pulse (E2) might have…”

Even so, “Voltage collapse due to E3 alone was found to be possible… the geographic area that would be impacted… is estimated to be regional and on the order of several states or larger…”

Bottom line is, we’re still pretty heavily screwed.

12/29/2017 5:39 PM
Ned said...

So, for "system recovery" they recommend hardening of critical infrastructure. Something that's not happening. So the recovery data paragraph is basically bullshit, since it relates to a pie-in-the-sky scenario that doesn't currently exist.

Add to this the Pentagon dismantling the EMP Commission, who had been lobbying for hardening of critical infrastructure, and there's a serious problem with recovery.

If critical transformers are compromised, there are no replacements. They are manufactured on a need basis. So if a large substation in NYC was hit, the transformers would have to be specified, then built, then transported for installation.

Read "Recovery From E3-Induced Voltage Collapse" in the linked to data.

12/30/2017 11:20 AM
Anonymous said...

when i worked at ComEd (chicago utility) we had a minimum 2 year wait for a new power transformer to be built.

1/01/2018 9:29 AM

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