Knowledge Base

May 2024 GMD Event (Gannon Storm)

Below are visualizations and power flow simulations of the North American geomagnetic disturbance of May 10-12, 2024 (Gannon Storm). The simulations utilize surface electric field models developed by NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center with Empirical Magnetotelluric Transfer Functions (EMTF), which incorporate the full 3D effects of Earth conductivity structures. Surface Electric Field only (CONUS) Eastern […]

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September 25, 2024

EMP Waveforms Based on Published Research

The newest builds of PowerWorld Simulator with the GIC add-on no longer contain a function to calculate time-varying series voltage inputs for EMP E3A and E3B time and spatial functions based on Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) research [1] and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards. Going forward, non-uniform time and spatially varying electric fields will […]

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October 5, 2023

Historic North American GMD Events

PowerWorld Simulator supports binary and text file formats for time and spatially-varying geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) surface electric field inputs. This format allows development of detailed solar storm scenarios based on historic events or 3D earth conductivity models. Surface electric field models developed by NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center with Empirical Magnetotelluric Transfer Functions (EMTF), which […]

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August 14, 2023

NOAA SWPC Geoelectric Field Models

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) offers geoelectric field inputs that can be used with PowerWorld Simulator GIC. Data are accessed from the  SWPC Geoelectric Field Model landing page.  The tabs at the top allow viewing of E-fields computed from 1D (EPRI) or 3D (NSF EarthScope USArray project) Earth resistivity […]

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July 11, 2023

Add GIC-Related Object Data Fields to Displays

This auxiliary file (updated October 4, 2022) will modify Case Information Displays for the following objects to include GIC-related data fields: Bus Generator Load Branch Inputs Transformer Controls Switched Shunts Line Shunts Substation DC Transmission Line MTDC Converters VSC DC Lines This enables easy viewing, editing, and sharing of GIC-related data between Simulator users, without […]

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October 4, 2022

3D File Format for GMD/HEMP Event Inputs

The B3D binary file format uses little-endian order and holds two-dimensional, time-varying data such as electric fields on the surface of the earth. Because the magnitude and direction can be non-uniform in time and space, it can be used where a 3D earth resistivity model is assumed. Applications in PowerWorld Simulator include geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) […]

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January 31, 2022

Aux Export Format Description for GIC Data

This auxiliary file (updated April 20, 2020) creates an Auxiliary File Export Format Description for Geomagnetic Induced Current (GIC) related data. The data include, but are not limited to, earth model geographic region definitions, GIC Options, GMD storm inputs, and power system object parameters such as geographic location, DC resistance, and transformer configuration and core […]

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November 13, 2019

GIC Time Varying Electric Field Example

PowerWorld Simulator supports binary and text file formats for time and spatially-varying geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) surface electric field inputs. This format allows development of detailed solar storm scenarios based on historic events or 3D earth conductivity models. Sample (B3D binary format) based on June 22, 2015 event [1], over footprint of the U.S. State of […]

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October 15, 2018

Earth Resistivity Model for GIC Calculations

Updated February 8, 2022 with versions that do not contain dashes in the region set names PowerWorld Simulator GIC can automatically incorporate scaling factors for geomagnetic latitude and earth resistivity according to NERC TPL-007-2 – Transmission System Planned Performance for Geomagnetic Disturbance Events (October 2017). The earth resistivity models must be loaded from an auxiliary file. […]

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January 31, 2018

EMP Simulation Example

PowerWorld Simulator version 20 includes the ability to analyze the E3 effects of a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) attack on the power system. Algorithms are based on public Oak Ridge National Laboratory research. To perform a sample analysis: Download this file. Extract the contents and open TX2000.pwb with PowerWorld Simulator (version 20 or higher). Open the […]

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June 24, 2016