Design Approach for HPEM Mitigation for Electrical Substations

A design effort to identify an effective, cost efficient solution for High-Power Electromagnetic (EM) mitigation for new and retrofit installations was recently completed. Following the review of potential electromagnetic environments, both natural and man-made, a design was completed to address EM event effects associated with Geomagnetic Disturbances (GMD), High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) and Intentional Electromagnetic Interference (IEMI). The preliminary design was shared during AMEREM 2018 and has now resulted in the fabrication of an initial unit. The mitigation design avoids compromising the reliability of existing power substation functions, results in minimal increases to maintenance costs, and avoids significant changes in normal operating procedures. Components of the system were evaluated both individually and collectively to avoid sub-optimization of the system.