Evaluation of the Electromagnetic Phenomena Issues on Smart Grid Reliability

Testing smart grid devices to increase reliability in electromagnetic environments

Smart grid devices have been and are being installed in active electromagnetic (EM) environments. While the power grid experienced EM threats before, communication devices (which operate at low voltage) required to support a smart grid are much more vulnerable to EM disruptions than high-voltage devices such as transformers. Fortunately, there are published standards that can be used to test these devices to see if they would survive in the EM environments that are present wherever the power grid operates, from generation points to consumer locations.

This white paper introduces ways to test smart grid devices to demonstrate increased reliability. It lists the EM phenomena that grid devices will be exposed to, describes the standards and tests that can be used to increase their reliability and interoperability, and reviews the extent and severity of the potential impacts of failures on smart grid reliability.

What’s in the report

• Table of EM phenomena and the basic EM compatibility tests specified in IEC and IEEE standards
• Review of specific smart grid EM environment issues, including customer interference problems, power system interference reports, and associated utility power stations and substations activity
• Review of the extent and severity of failures
• Review of the effects on smart grid devices from severe EM environments, including the HEMP (High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse) environment, the IEMI (Intentional Electromagnetic Interference) environment, and severe geomagnetic storms