Journal of Critical Infrastructure Policy • Volume 1 , Number 2 • Fall / Winter 2020
Thomas S . Popik 1 , 2 and David Winks 3
1
President , Foundation for Resilient Societies
2
3
Chief Science Officer , Renewable Energy Aggregators
Abstract
Industrialized society depends on continuously operating critical infrastructures , especially the electric grid and its associated telecommunications systems . A widespread , long-term outage of grid systems can result from natural disasters , accidents , or intentional actions . When such an outage occurs , outside assistance may be unavailable or impractical . Resulting societal impacts can be severe — even deadly . Therefore , infrastructures should be designed for resilience to prevent collapse and to facilitate rapid recovery .
The telecommunications system for the U . S . electric grid exemplifies a subsystem vulnerable to such a long-term outage . An electromagnetic pulse ( EMP ) can cause such an outage to telecommunication systems . To ensure resilience to an EMP event , the equipment can be shielded and collocated with protected on-site power and long-duration fuel storage .
Building resilience and facilitating reconstitution of the grid telecommunication system would have societal benefits far exceeding the investments required to obtain these capabilities . The cost estimation methodology we use in this analysis is broadly applicable for a variety of hazards and threats to complex critical infrastructures .
Keywords : Communications , Electric Grid , EMP , Costs , Estimate , Resilience , Recoverability
137 doi : 10.18278 / jcip . 1.2.8