To safeguard electrical equipment from the impacts of solar storms, strategies must generally be developed at personal and grid levels. The following are measures that can help reduce the risk:
Personal protection
Shutting down devices
Merely switching off electronic gadgets could lower the chances of them being affected by sudden surges.
Surge protector device usage
Appliances can be safeguarded against short-duration voltage surges on the grid with the use of surge protection devices.
Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)
UPS is a system that gives an uninterrupted flow of electric power during brief blackouts and stabilizes voltage for sensitive electronics.
Protection of Power Grid and Infrastructure
Installation of Geomagnetically Induced Current (GIC) Blockers
Specialized equipment that blocks or restricts geomagnetic induced currents which protect transformers and other critical components in power systems.
Redundancy and reliability in grid design
Power grids that are capable of isolating loads and rerouting them can mitigate localized damage impact.
Advanced monitoring and management systems
Real-time response to grid health changes through technology to detect anomalies would allow rapid responses to solar storm incidents.
National and international strategies
Improved early warning systems
Satellites among other technologies should be used to monitor solar activities so as to predict in good time any incoming solar storms for protective measures to be undertaken in time.
Education and preparedness
Personnel involved need training regarding these risks as well as how they can prepare themselves during such a time when a solar storm occurs.
Though it may not provide total security against extreme solar storms, this approach will significantly minimize possible damages thereby ensuring grid stability as well as safety for technical frameworks associated with them.