Magnetically induced fluctuations in electric current are powerful enough that telegraph operators used to shut off their batteries during periods of high electromagnetic activity and use the induced power alone, Kohl said.
Ellen M. Foley, spokesperson for Independent Systems Operator New England (ISO), the organization in charge of the dispatch of New England’s power, said blackouts were not likely.
Foley said that the power grids had implemented their specially developed protocol early yesterday morning. This protocol, which reduces current on the grid, will remain in effect as long as the geomagnetic storms had a rating above K-7.
Kelly B. Doser, solar forecaster and Air Force liaison to the Space Environment Center agreed.
“The impacts are going to be minimal for the general consumer,” Kelly said. “They’ve gotten smarter, they’ve been able to mitigate those problems.”
Researchers at the Harvard-Smithsonian CfA have been gathering “wonderful data” from the solar bursts, according to Kohl.
“No one can predict what the practical fallout will be,” Kohl said.