Understanding the problem:
Nuclear and Non-Nuclear EMP
Curtis Birnbach
Advanced Fusion Systems LLC
11 Edmond Rd
Newtown, CT 06470
203.270.9700
Copyright © 2011 Newtown CT
Overview
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In order to appreciate and plan for threats, it is
necessary to fully understand them.
There are three major electromagnetic threats to the
power grid.
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Geomagnetically Induced Currents from Solar Storms (GIC)
Nuclear EMP (NEMP)
Non-Nuclear EMP (NNEMP); (also known as IEMI or IEMP)
Previous speakers have discussed the first two threats.
This talk will compare the Nuclear and Non-Nuclear EMP
threats.
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EM Waveforms
NNEMP Regime
>>>>
Green line shows
when AFS
protection occurs
>>>>>
Blue line shows
when Mil-188-125
protection occurs
>>>>>
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Nuclear vs.
Non-Nuclear EMP
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The Non-Nuclear EMP threat (NNEMP) is not generally understood to be a
significant threat, yet numerous demonstrations have produced pulses
substantially exceeding the levels of NEMP have been produced.
NNEMP pulses almost an order of magnitude greater than the largest
NEMP have been demonstrated.
 The technology exists to go significantly higher than this level.
While NNEMP pulses do not normally have the E3 tail, their E1 is
substantially more dangerous.
NNEMP pulses have demonstrated the ability to defeat MIL188-125 and
TEMPEST shielding with ease.
Standards Groups such as IEC, IEEE, and CIGRE are apparently unaware
or unwilling to acknowledge this threat, as are others.
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Non-Nuclear EMP
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The non-nuclear EMP threat
(NNEMP) arises from the ability
to build extremely powerful radio
transmitters that can duplicate
the waveforms and intensities of
the EMP portion of a nuclear
explosion.
The technology exists to build
transmitters of this nature that
can be portable and still produce
effects many times that of a
large nuclear EMP pulse.
NEMP Level EMP Source
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Comparison of Nuclear &
Non-Nuclear EMP Environments
Copyright © 2011
Newtown CT
This is presently published Comparison of Nuclear & Non-Nuclear EMP Threat New Analysis
Indicates Much Higher Non-Nuclear Threats Possible than depicted here (note Red and Green
Highlighted Curves above), NNEMP Threat can be an order of magnitude higher
NNEMP Threat
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NNEMP seriously threatens medium to high voltage
transformers and requires protective devices that
operate far more efficiently than MOV Surge
Arresters
The footprint of Non Nuclear EMP is smaller, but it
produces a more substantially more intense E1
(Fast) Transient which may not be protected by
standard MOV Arresters.
AFS has protective products that address the full
range of Electromagnetic threats:
 GIC
 NNEMP
 NEMP
Copyright © 2011 Newtown CT
Now What?
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There are technological solutions that will be available in the near
term.
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When evaluating cost to mitigate threats, it is necessary to consider
the cost in relation to the economic consequences of not having that
protection should an event occur.
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AFS has designed systems to provide various forms of protection to
the electric grid to respond to these unique threats.
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AFS is currently building an advanced manufacturing facility to
enable production of substantial volumes of protective equipment.
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There are few, if any, alternative solutions, and none as technically
satisfactory.
Copyright © 2011 Newtown CT
EPS™
(EM Protection Systems)
AFS EPS™
EMP Protection
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AFS has developed the EPS™ series EMP Protection device and system
for grid-level protection.
This series of devices implement AFS’ patent-pending Field Collapse™
technique, where the magnetic field in the core winding is instantly shorted
out, collapsing the magnetic field to prevent damage.
The individual device is a stand-alone element that connects directly to the
transformer or generator to be protected.
These devices also provide GIC protection.
The EPS™ turns on in less than 100 picoseconds and safely conducts the
EMP & GIC energy to ground.
Overall system recovery time is measured in hours or days as opposed to
years.
 Recovery period decreases as level of grid protection increases.
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™ pat pend
AFS EPS
EMP Protector
Each phase is protected by a device like this:
>>>
Each EPS™ consists of a dielectric vacuum. enclosure, a
ground conductor, and specialized internal structures.
These devices implement the Field-Collapse™ protocol.
Detection and operation are autonomous.
The EPS™ has redundant internal vacuum pumps to
ensure constant availability.
The EPS™ provides a hardened data output containing
information on the EPS™ status and EMP Event alert.
These units are networked using hardened technology to
provide system operators an alert of an event or system
failure.
The units are available from 4160V to 1.2 MV.
Cost of EMP Protection may be offset by anticipated
reduction in insurance costs.
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Bulkhead EMP Protection
for Secure Facility Power
Copyright © 2011
Newtown CT
AFS 4138 Bi-tron™ Series Configuration
4 – 125 KV AC or DC; 1KA to 100 KA
Field-Collapse™
EMP & GIC Protection
(3-Phase; Artist Concept)
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EMP/GIC Test Facility
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It is essential that all devices be tested under realistic conditions, but there are no
EMP test facilities capable of on-load testing devices up to 1 million volts (that we are
aware of).
As part of our commitment to the EMP protection arena, AFS is constructing a worldclass EMP test facility.
This facility will be capable of testing devices at line voltages up to 1.2 million VAC or
VDC, under load conditions of up to 10 MW, and in a sub-100 picosecond risetime
pulsed electric field environment of >250 KV/m.
This facility will test in excess of the Mil-188-125 standard so as to provide realistic
IEMP conditions.
This facility can successfully create SGEMP environment.
This facility also does fault-current testing, flashover, and other tests..
Copyright © 2011 Newtown CT
Contact
Advanced Fusion Systems LLC.
P.O. Box 3247
Newtown CT, 06470
Curtis Birnbach
President
203.270.9700
cbirnbach@advfusion.com