Early results from the UK Geo-Electric Field Monitoring Project

To understand how space weather impacts the national power grid, BGS models the surface electric field that rapid geomagnetic variations can produce. This electric field is the source of electrical currents that can damage transformers in the grid. However, the electric field has not been routinely measured anywhere in the UK. Recently we initiated a project to provide long term measurements of the electric field at our UK geomagnetic observatories. These measurements will help to constrain our electric field models and hence should improve the prediction of induced currents in the UK power system. Over the longer term, the project will also provide magnetotelluric data for study of deep Earth conductivity.