Can Space Weather Damage the Power Grid? Fact or Fiction with Joe Bowden
We?ve all seen the national news showing film clips of auroras or sunspots erupting. Talking heads speak ominously about the effects that so-called ?space weather? could have on the power grid. Since very little ever seems to happen, we tend to forget these incidents quickly. Staff Officer Joe Bowden, of US Strategic Command, however, could not ignore it. He was asked by a 2-Star General, ?Can this space weather stuff affect our mission? Will it damage our local electric power grid? How likely is it to interrupt power for a significant period of time?? Not an expert in space weather but with a scientific background, Joe set out to get the best answer he could. In his talk, Joe will present the big picture view of how the power grid works. He will talk about space weather, what it is, and what it does when it hits the earth?s magnetic field. He will give you an idea of how space weather can affect the power grid and potentially damage some of the most critical parts of the chain of facilities that produce power and supply it to the consumer. At the end, Joe hopes that you will understand that space weather ?could? cause damage to the power grid but only the most severe solar misbehavior could affect us in Colorado. No registration is required.
Date and Time
Wednesday Jun 24, 2015
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM MDT
June 24 6:30 p.m.
Location
Loveland Public Library Gertrude Scott Room
Fees/Admission
free
Contact Information
bobbi
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