Keeping the Lights on During Solar Storms: Space Weather as an Energy Sector Hazard

Space weather, through solar flares, geomagnetic storms, and high energy cosmic rays, presents a risk to critical energy infrastructure in the UK. This meeting brought together industry, academics, and government representatives to present and discuss the risks posed by this hazard (Session 1), how industry can utilise space weather services and resilience strategies to protect against extreme space weather (Session 2), and a panel discussion to create a space for coordination of space weather resilience strategies (Session 3). This is particularly important given how widespread the impacts of severe space weather could be, potentially impacting many energy organisations simultaneously. As the Sun builds towards its maximum magnetic activity around 2025, now is an appropriate time to bring the UK energy sector (industry, academics, and government representatives) together. This also aligns with the UK Government’s Severe Space Weather Preparedness Strategy, published last year, which outlined the need for a collaborative approach to resilience across the energy sector.
This event was jointly organised by RMetS, EDF, and the Hazards Forum.

This meeting was moved from the original date on Wednesday 15 March.