New tool automates passing data that was previously manually entered, allowing utilities to complete GMD assessments and studies in minutes instead of hours.
Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response
February 9, 2026
minute read time
Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) continues to pioneer geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) grid protection work. CESER and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) recently released a first-of-its-kind GMD modeling software designed to reduce regulatory burdens by making mandatory, utility-run assessments more efficient.
Geomagnetic storms occur when increased solar winds disturb the Earth’s magnetosphere. This creates harmful geomagnetic induced currents (GICs) in the power grid that can cause power disruptions and equipment damage. Utilities complete high-fidelity end-to-end GMD calculations during recurring assessments that regulators audit. These assessments compare against benchmarks that identify opportunities to improve grid GIC protection.
Once properly set up, PNNL’s new tool automates passing data that was previously manually entered, allowing utilities to complete GMD assessments and studies in minutes instead of hours. This streamlined process ensures users can conduct assessments regularly, improving regulation compliance and resilience.
The modeling software is also designed to benefit regulators by expediting GMD assessment process reviews. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) requires utilities to complete GMD assessments when the transmission planning reliability standards are updated. This new tool will help NERC and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) more quickly conduct studies, resulting in more significant changes between standards and reduced regulatory burdens.
DOE’s work in this space aligns with key administration efforts to enhance the security and resilience of the nation’s energy infrastructure. In line with the administration’s executive order on “Coordinating National Resilience to Electromagnetic Pulses,” CESER is charged with identifying GMD threats, classifying energy sector vulnerabilities, and conducting innovative modeling and mitigation research and development.
Further development is planned to make the GMD modeling software tool more accessible to industry. This will include software updates based on user feedback and work to better integrate the tool into other common software packages.
Visit PNNL’s website to learn more.