Centerpoint Energy, Inc.

Eric D Easton

Kevin J Bryant

An electric power substation includes one or more primary relay panels located at a substation site and susceptible to damage caused by radiated or coupled electromagnetic energy, and an electromagnetic pulse mitigation module located at the substation site and comprising a continuous conductive enclosure that is impervious to the radiated or coupled electromagnetic energy. One or more backup relay panels are housed within the electromagnetic pulse mitigation module and capable of assuming operation of the one or more primary relay panels.

Substation electromagnetic mitigation module

An electric power substation includes a circuit breaker, an electromagnetic pulse mitigation module coupled to the circuit breaker and comprising a continuous conductive enclosure that is impervious to radiated or coupled electromagnetic energy, an input/output device housed within the electromagnetic pulse mitigation module, and a control house communicably coupled to the circuit breaker via a primary communication line and housing one or more primary relay panels.

Substation electromagnetic mitigation module housing input/output device

A method of operating a public utility facility includes receiving a commodity at a processing facility communicably coupled to a control system that includes primary electrical components configured to operate the processing facility, and transitioning operation of the processing facility to an electromagnetic pulse mitigation module communicably coupled to the processing facility via a fiber optic line when the primary electrical components are rendered inoperable. The electromagnetic pulse mitigation module comprises a continuous conductive enclosure that is impervious to radiated and coupled electromagnetic energy. Operation of the primary electrical components is then assumed with one or more backup electrical components housed within the electromagnetic pulse mitigation module.

Electromagnetic mitigation modules for public utility facilities

An electric power substation includes a circuit breaker that receives electrical power from a power plant, and a control house communicably coupled to the circuit breaker via a primary communication line, wherein one or more primary relay panels are housed within the control house. An electromagnetic pulse mitigation module is communicably coupled to the circuit breaker via a fiber optic line and comprises a continuous conductive enclosure that is impervious to radiated and coupled electromagnetic energy. One or more backup relay panels are housed within the electromagnetic pulse mitigation module and capable of assuming operation of the one or more primary relay panels.

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Humble, TX, United States of America

Eric D Easton