EURISGIC – European Risk from Geomagnetically Induced Currents

Geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) occurring during geomagnetic storms, pose a natural hazard risk to the reliable operation of electric power transmission grids.
This project focuses on high-voltage power transmission networks, which are currently considered to be the most susceptible to GIC effects.
The EURISGIC EU/FP7 project has produced the first European-wide real- time prototype forecast service of GIC in power systems, based on in-situ solar wind observations and comprehensive simulations of the Earth’s magnetosphere.
Close communication throughout the project with a stakeholder advisory group will help in directing the research and outreach appropriately.
The project is coordinated by Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), in Finland, together with research institutes and a company in Europe and United States.

Main objectives of the project:

Creatin the first European prototype forecast tool based on in-situ solar wind observations and on magnetosphere-ionosphere simulations to prodice realtime GIC warnings for the European high-voltage power grid.

Estimate the worst case scenarios and the largest possible GIC values flowing anywhere in the European high-voltage power grid based on archived data.

Produce a Europe-wide map that indicates the statistical occurence of rapid geomagnetic variations and large geoelectric fields in Europe, as well as of large GIC in the prototype high-voltage power grid model.