Preface: Large solar storms can knock out electronics and affect the power grid. Why? The solar wind disturbs the outer part of the Earth’s magnetic field, which undergoes a complex oscillation. This generates associated electric currents in the near-Earth space environment, which in turn generates additional magnetic field variations — all of which constitute a “magnetic storm.”

Background: Solar maximum is expected in July 2025, with a peak of 115 sunspots. “How quickly solar activity rises is an indicator on how strong the solar cycle will be,” said Doug Biesecker, Ph. D., panel co-chair and a solar physicist at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center.

Official announcement: Please refer to the following URL for details https://www.weather.gov/news/201509-solar-cycle

Vulnerability details: Modern power grid consists PLC (Programmable logic controller), SCADA and electronic integrate circuit. During magnetic storms, electronics device especially semi-conductor and integrated circuit can be damaged through the build up and discharge of static-electric charges. If those component were damage, the consequence is city will encountered power suspension.

Ref: It occurs when accumulated electrostatic charge is discharged and causes a larger current than normal to flow in a circuit, generating heat that destroys the electronic part. In other words, ESD damage does not occur without a discharge caused by static electricity.