Innovation Webinar: Space Weather's Impact to the Grid

June 18, 2026 | 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. ET | Open to the public | Register now

As the terrestrial power grid becomes increasingly complex and interconnected, the threat posed by Geomagnetic Disturbances (GMDs) and solar phenomena necessitates a coordinated technical and regulatory response. This panel examines the intersection of heliophysics, reliability compliance, and advanced data modeling to address the potential for Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) to induce currents that threaten high-voltage transformers and system-wide voltage stability.

The discussion features a multi-disciplinary perspective on the lifecycle of a space weather event:

• Observation and Forecasting: NOAA provides insights into the latest capabilities in solar monitoring and the transition from deep-space observation to actionable terrestrial alerts.
• Reliability and Compliance: NERC addresses the evolution of mandatory reliability standards, focusing on the technical requirements for GMD vulnerability assessments and the implementation of mitigation strategies across the bulk power system.
• Hyperscale Analytics and Resilience: Google explores the role of artificial intelligence and planetary-scale data processing in refining predictive models and maintaining the resilience of global digital infrastructure against electromagnetic interference.

By bridging the gap between space weather science and utility operations, this session identifies proactive frameworks for state commissions to oversee resilience investments and ensure grid integrity during extreme solar cycles.

Moderator: Hon. Emile Thompson, Chair PSCDC

Speakers:

• Shawn Dahl; SWPC Service Coordinator, NOAA / NWS / Space Weather Prediction Center
• Raiford Smith, Global Market Lead - Power and Energy, Google Cloud
• Mark Olson, Manager of Reliability Assessments, NERC