Would have a warning prevented the Quebec blakcout in 89

[Guest danderson500]

simple question: would have a warning prevented the Quebec blackout in 1989? the reason I ask is we had the backup power but Quebec didn't had a warning been in effect would have there been a blackout?

[AurorahunterPA]

i'm pretty sure it would've helped tremendously. the advanced notice would've given them time to prepare the power grid in any way they could back then

[Maxime Fiset]

5 hours ago, danderson500 said:

simple question: would have a warning prevented the Quebec blackout in 1989? the reason I ask is we had the backup power but Quebec didn't had a warning been in effect would have there been a blackout?

Depends on how long a warning.

But mostly no, because our grid is extended over a very, very large surface (our electric generation facilities can be 1000km+ from the distribution points) and mostly sits on mineral-rich, igneous rock, so the high-voltage lines were the channel through which the whole "magnetic flood" (let's call it that) discharged.

 

Now, the whole thing has been improved, and it's much more resilient.

[AurorahunterPA]

So could we make preparations for it today seeing as we have better power grid setups? (Ps sorry for being wrong)

[Maxime Fiset]

3 hours ago, AurorahunterPA said:

So could we make preparations for it today seeing as we have better power grid setups? (Ps sorry for being wrong)

What happened in 1989 is that very big transformers got overheated and stoped working, causing a 9-hours blackout. Today, it would be much less likely to happen, since measures have been taken to reduce the odds of a CME-induced blackout.

 

What kind of preparations do you have in mind? I know for a fact that the White House recently acknowledged the risks of solar events on the grid : https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/10/28/enhancing-national-preparedness-space-weather-events

[AurorahunterPA]

That's good to know, seeing as if there's no electricity I can't keep up with the aurora models and forecasts etc XD

[Maxime Fiset]

I wouldn't worry too much about solar-induced blackouts.

 

Humans seem much more dangerous to me than the sun, even knowing what I know about geomagnetic storms.

[Guest Stephane Mabille]

Look disturbanc aircraft Sweden : http://climatologiageografica.com.br/alerta-vermelho-grave-tempestade-solar-atinge-a-suecia/

problem radar guidance

[Guest danderson500]

the reason the northeast didnt lose power was because it was late at night when there is less demand

[AurorahunterPA]

I kind of wish they had less lights on all night... I can see the stars but hopes of looking to the north for aurora are toast for faint ones. I just wish there was a few days a year where there are no city lights...

[Guest danderson500]

I have wondered because of what happened in 1989, the grid people were ready in 1991 when the sun was really active(although the flares were lesser than in 89.)