❓ Hon Ben Dawkins questions the Minister for Energy regarding Western Power's preparedness for geomagnetic solar storms and their potential impact on the south west interconnected system. The response indicates limited specific documentation and briefings, but highlights monitoring and participation in national exercises.
AnsweredQoN 543Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WESTERN POWER —
GEOMAGNETIC SOLAR STORMS
543. Hon BEN DAWKINS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to Western Power's
contingency planning for severe geomagnetic solar storms.
(1) Will the
minister table any documents that outline what understanding Western Power has
of geomagnetic solar storms and what impact they can have on the south west
interconnected system?
(2) Has the minister
been briefed about what impact a Carrington Event–level solar storm
would have on the south west interconnected system?
(3) What steps
can be taken to protect south west interconnected system infrastructure from
geomagnetic solar storms?
GEOMAGNETIC SOLAR STORMS
543. Hon BEN DAWKINS to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Energy:
I refer to Western Power's
contingency planning for severe geomagnetic solar storms.
(1) Will the
minister table any documents that outline what understanding Western Power has
of geomagnetic solar storms and what impact they can have on the south west
interconnected system?
(2) Has the minister
been briefed about what impact a Carrington Event–level solar storm
would have on the south west interconnected system?
(3) What steps
can be taken to protect south west interconnected system infrastructure from
geomagnetic solar storms?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
his out-of-this-world question. On behalf of the Minister for Energy, I provide
the following answer.
(1) No specific
Western Power document exists. Western Power monitors the effects of
geomagnetic induced currents on its infrastructure and receives briefings on
solar activity from the Bureau of Meteorology. Additionally, Western Power is participating in the National Emergency
Management Agency's Exercise Aurora , which will focus on the
impacts of space weather.
(2) The minister
has not received a briefing on the impact of a Carrington Event–level
solar storm on the south west interconnected system.
(3) The
Australian Energy Market Operator maintains the required levels of essential
system services to maintain power system
security according to the wholesale electricity market rules. If any
disturbances occur on the system whether from a space weather event or other
vector, AEMO will work with Western Power and other participants to
resecure the power system, if required, and continue the safe and secure
operation of the WEM and SWIS.
his out-of-this-world question. On behalf of the Minister for Energy, I provide
the following answer.
(1) No specific
Western Power document exists. Western Power monitors the effects of
geomagnetic induced currents on its infrastructure and receives briefings on
solar activity from the Bureau of Meteorology. Additionally, Western Power is participating in the National Emergency
Management Agency's Exercise Aurora , which will focus on the
impacts of space weather.
(2) The minister
has not received a briefing on the impact of a Carrington Event–level
solar storm on the south west interconnected system.
(3) The
Australian Energy Market Operator maintains the required levels of essential
system services to maintain power system
security according to the wholesale electricity market rules. If any
disturbances occur on the system whether from a space weather event or other
vector, AEMO will work with Western Power and other participants to
resecure the power system, if required, and continue the safe and secure
operation of the WEM and SWIS.
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