re: Attacks on the power grid (Page 1/2)
TheDigitalAlchemist DEC 09, 10:47 AM
FUN TIMES

Duke Energy restored power to all of its North Carolina customers Wednesday evening, four days after 45,000 customers were left in the dark after what officials have said was an intentional and coordinated attack on two substations in Moore County. Moore County Sheriff Ronnie Fields has said a motive for the attack is not known. It is also not clear what kind of protective measures were in place to prevent such an assault.


Really not so great that they aren't well guarded/monitored.

https://www.google.com/search?q=power+grid+attack


Over 100 this past year.
Raydar DEC 09, 11:03 AM
Having worked for the power company, and seeing how substations are constructed, I'm truly surprised that this sort of thing doesn't happen more often.
The speculation is that whoever staged the attack knew what they were doing - possibly a disgruntled former employee - but someone who did a bit of research would probably figure out what/where to hit.
All of our major substations have video surveillance, but it's kind of useless, IMHO. "Oh look... someone is shooting up the substation."
The equipment really needs to be "hardened" (or hidden) but it's difficult to do.
williegoat DEC 09, 11:25 AM
It seems to me that there were a couple of incidents a few years ago, where some people were caught snooping around power stations. I can't remember enough details to even search for the stories. Does anyone remember this?

I'm sure people are run off all the time, but these two or three stories were in the national news for a week or so.
Valkrie9 DEC 09, 12:18 PM
Blackout 1965, it was a moonlit night, a light blanket of snow was on the ground, in Toronto.

August 14, 2003 Blackout: The Grid, Math, Humans, and Trees

A Catastrophic Blackout is Coming !

How would you, how could you, defend your grid ?.

Doomsayers, you may be right !
!
IMSA GT DEC 09, 04:22 PM
This ties into my career. I'm a critical infrastructure protection specialist and we had the same thing happen to our Metcalf substation years ago. After that attack, we now have ballistic walls, thermal cameras, gunshot detection, radar, and other means of keeping these high profile substations safe. Most of our "important" substations are now protected with these walls. The project was over $100 million. If anything, Duke energy should be meeting with us so we can give them some pointers.

[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 12-09-2022).]

Raydar DEC 09, 05:00 PM

quote
Originally posted by IMSA GT:

This ties into my career. I'm a critical infrastructure protection specialist and we had the same thing happen to our Metcalf substation years ago.
...



We've talked before, about other stuff. I'm happy that you jumped in.

Walls seem like a good idea. But other than that, all the TV cameras, gunshot detection, radar, and etc, seem like they'd be "after the fact".
They might help you identify a perp, but they aren't going to prevent much of anything, unless you have staff nearby. And if it's a disgruntled former employee, he's likely going to know how to circumvent at least some of this stuff.
Of course, I would hope that law enforcement would respond at a high priority, but they are spread pretty thin, even on a good day.
Jake_Dragon DEC 09, 05:39 PM
Electric fence and a huge tesla coil.
IMSA GT DEC 09, 05:42 PM

quote
Originally posted by Raydar:


We've talked before, about other stuff. I'm happy that you jumped in.

Walls seem like a good idea. But other than that, all the TV cameras, gunshot detection, radar, and etc, seem like they'd be "after the fact".
They might help you identify a perp, but they aren't going to prevent much of anything, unless you have staff nearby. And if it's a disgruntled former employee, he's likely going to know how to circumvent at least some of this stuff.
Of course, I would hope that law enforcement would respond at a high priority, but they are spread pretty thin, even on a good day.



That's the problem, none of this prevents anything from happening. You just make the CPUC happy that you "attempted" to solve the problem. We also just started using LRAD at some of our facilities and believe it or not, that has been one of the best weapons against potential threats.
maryjane DEC 09, 09:02 PM
Bullet proof walls would work, but not where the substations are in a valley with higher elevation surrounding it and the equipment right inside the substation isn't the only things vulnerable to a high powered rifle projectile. And even a 1/2 ass marksman can hit a tranfsormer, other gear or even an insulator from 300+ yards and up to 1/4 mile away with any good .270.
Raydar DEC 09, 09:35 PM

quote
Originally posted by IMSA GT:
...
We also just started using LRAD at some of our facilities and believe it or not, that has been one of the best weapons against potential threats.



LRAD. Long Range Acoustic Device - aka Acoustic cannon, in one iteration? Guessing?
Awesome! Never would have thought of that. Bet the neighbors love it.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 12-09-2022).]