Project Overview
Title: Geomagnetic Disturbance in Modern Societies and Technological Infrastructures (GMD-MSTI)
Funding Agency: NSERC CREATE
Goal: To study the impact of geomagnetic disturbances (GMD) on modern technological infrastructures, particularly focusing on their effects on communication, energy, and transportation systems in the face of growing geomagnetic activity.
Project Summary
The GMD-MSTI project aims to explore the implications of geomagnetic disturbances, which are caused by solar storms, on the global infrastructure that is critical to modern society. This research will focus on understanding how GMDs affect systems such as satellites, electrical grids, and communication networks, providing essential insights to mitigate risks and improve resilience against space weather events.
The project will bring together experts in space weather, engineering, and policy to create innovative solutions for protecting vital infrastructures from GMD effects, fostering collaborations between academia, industry, and government stakeholders.
Key Research Areas
- Geomagnetic Activity Modeling: Developing predictive models to understand geomagnetic disturbances and their impact on technological systems.
- Infrastructure Vulnerabilities: Identifying weaknesses in power grids, satellite communications, and transport networks due to GMDs.
- Risk Mitigation Strategies: Creating engineering and policy strategies to safeguard infrastructures from geomagnetic disruptions.
Key Contributors
- Project Lead: Afshin Rezaei Zare (Principal Investigator)
- Co-applicants: Ali Asgary, Hina Tabassum, Regina Lee, Maleknaz Nayebi, Georg Zoidl, and others
- Partner Institutions: York University and related partner institutes specializing in space weather, electrical engineering, and risk management.
Funding and Resources
- Total Funding: NSERC CREATE program funding, with an emphasis on infrastructure research and development.
- University Contributions: In-kind contributions from York University
Impact and Future Goals
The GMD-MSTI project aims to enhance the resilience of critical infrastructures to solar and geomagnetic activities, which have the potential to cause widespread disruptions. By addressing these issues, the project will provide actionable insights and solutions that can help industries, governments, and communities better prepare for the future challenges posed by space weather.