A solar magnetic storm is on it’s way to Earth, but BC Hydro says they are prepared for the storm.
According to BC Hydro Spokesperson Dave Mosure, a solar magnetic storm is a ‘gust of charged particles that come from the sun that fluctuate in frequency and intensity’. Mosure says these types of storms go through a ten-year cycle, but stronger ones like the upcoming storm happen less frequently. Mosure says these types of storms can cause damage to high voltage transmission systems, and lead to outages.
A similar storm hit Quebec in March 1989, knocking out power for nine hours.
Mosure says BC Hydro is prepared for the storm. He says BC Hydro’s system is protected by a series of capacitors, which provide a barrier to the geomagnetically induced current’s path, and prevents the spread of disturbances.
Mosure adds it’s impossible to predict outages, but BC Hydro has prepared appropriately.