Geomagnetically Induced Currents from the Sun to the Power Grid

When beginning work in the study of Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs), one of the most common diffi- culties experienced by a researcher is in overcoming, and eventually embracing, the interdisciplinary nature of the field. To understand the GIC process from start to end, we must understand a little bit of solar physics, space weather, geophysics, and power engineering – fields with completely different applications, expertise, and lan- guage. At a typical university, these disciplines are often in different departments, and likely in completely differ- ent schools. Overcoming disciplinary barriers takes a willingness to leave behind the high degree of specializa- tion that the academic path requires and become a novice in at least one new field. This is daunting for most of us. GIC research is also highly applied. Because of the potential for extreme GICs to damage critical power grid infrastructure, there is a great deal of societal importance. New research may have a significant effect on industry and government. This real‐world relevance is often what draws us to the field, but means that there are also practical considerations. Given the wide range of backgrounds and priorities among participants in the field, it is no wonder that there are sometimes disagreements, but also great potential for cross‐pollination of ideas and information. Some of these differences will be apparent in this book. The book is presented in three parts  –  Space Weather, Geomagnetic Induction, and Power System Impacts. Each section is curated by an editor in the particular subfield, with authors invited from among the leading experts in the field. We have endeavored to include a range of expertise and backgrounds, and each of the authors has provided a perspective on their topic aimed at experts in adjacent fields. This book would not exist without the hard work of these authors, for which we are extremely grateful and humbled that they would join us in this effort. We hope that the result is a practical, interdisciplinary introduction to a full range of topics relevant to the GIC problem. We hope that you, as a reader of this book, find it use- ful as a bridge to a new discipline within the broad range of GIC topics, or perhaps even find something new within your own specialty