A Statistical Approach to Analyze Possible Correlations Between Space Weather Events and Recorded Failures on the Italian Transmission Grid

Abstract

The reliability and protection of power grids are considered a priority within the national security systems since it is an essential element of a more comprehensive and interdependent network of highly critical physical and Information technology (IT) infrastructures. In the preparation of a safety plan for power grids, it is worth noting that they could be potentially affected by several natural events with potential global impact. Among the others, the events related to the Sun and the Space Weather (SW) must be considered since they can result in both physical (geomagnetic disturbances) and virtual (effects due to the collapse of the telecommunications system and Global Navigation Satellite Systems – GNSS – satellite systems). Natural events related to the Sun could interfere with or harm, in a different way, the various components of the power grid or result in early aging. In this study dealing with the Italian case, a method has been proposed to assess how the effects of SW events can be put in relation to the faults of the power grid.