The biggest worry is GPS. Way too much stuff is dependent on GPS. Including stationary stuff that ought not to be.
Meanwhile, here's the PJM plan for geomagnetic disturbances.[1] Start at page 37. It's a very real problem, but the people in the control rooms know what to do. The basic effect is that certain specific transformers overheat. This is now monitored.
Most recent event:
104095 Warning Geomagnetic Disturbance Warning 12.01.2023 06:55 PJM-RTO
A Geomagnetic Disturbance Warning has been issued
for 06:55 on 12.01.2023 through 16:00 on 12.01.2023.
A GMD warning of K7 or greater is in effect for this period.
Additional Comments: End time extended to 1600 EST
This never got to the point that action had to be taken.
Looking at documents from NERC and the various ISOs, I get the impression that PJM is serious about this, but there's a lot of hand-waving from everybody else.
It only affects very long wires with a voltage to ground. Most long-haul is fiber now, which is totally indifferent to this effect. Balanced or twisted pair, no problem. Electric railways, maybe.
[1] https://www.pjm.com/-/media/training/nerc-certifications/tra...
Meanwhile, here's the PJM plan for geomagnetic disturbances.[1] Start at page 37. It's a very real problem, but the people in the control rooms know what to do. The basic effect is that certain specific transformers overheat. This is now monitored.
Most recent event:
This never got to the point that action had to be taken.Looking at documents from NERC and the various ISOs, I get the impression that PJM is serious about this, but there's a lot of hand-waving from everybody else.
It only affects very long wires with a voltage to ground. Most long-haul is fiber now, which is totally indifferent to this effect. Balanced or twisted pair, no problem. Electric railways, maybe.
[1] https://www.pjm.com/-/media/training/nerc-certifications/tra...