IEEE Power and Energy Society

Chicago Chapter 2010-2011

Simulating the Collapse of the U.S. Eastern Interconnection due to a High-Intensity New Madrid Earthquake

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Note NEW Luncheon Location

Edgar C. Portante

Argonne National Laboratory

About the Topic

The presentation summarizes the results of the recent study conducted by Argonne for U.S. DOE Infrastructure Security and Energy Restoration Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability on the impact that a high-intensity New Madrid seismic event could have on the Eastern Interconnection. The New Madrid Seismic Zone is the largest active earthquake zone in the U.S. Concerns about the recurrence of a major seismic event have heightened recently because there is a 200-year-recurrence cycle (some studies cite 300-, 500-, and 700-year recurrence cycles, with varying degrees of probability) associated with the New Madrid Fault. In 1811 and 1812, a series of more than 2,000 earthquakes were felt by the few pioneers who lived in the region of the fault. Some of the strongest were "recorded" at magnitudes of 7.7 in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) and 6.8 in the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone (WVSZ). The methodology, models, and data used will be discussed during the presentation. The potential of large-scale electric system collapse was explored via a series of network simulations. The methodology employs two models, the FEMA-developed HAZUS MH-MR3 and Argonne-developed EPfast tool for simulating uncontrolled islanding in electric systems.

About the Speaker

EDGAR C. PORTANTE is an energy systems engineer at Argonne National Laboratory. He is the project manager for a series of FEMA-sponsored work on the New Madrid Seismic Zone Technical Studies including assessments of the seismic performance of the regional electric and natural gas infrastructures around the fault's epicenter. Mr. Portante has published a number of technical papers on the subject of New Madrid seismic simulation, particularly, on the potential large-scale impacts of the earthquake on energy infrastructures. Mr. Portante has been an invited speaker at several New Madrid-related workshops as well as several international conferences focusing on computer simulation of energy systems. Mr. Portante's research interests include modeling, simulation, analysis, and vulnerability assessments of energy systems, including electric power and natural gas. Mr. Portante is program manager for the development of EPfast and NGfast simulation models for impact assessments of electric and natural gas systems, respectively. Mr. Portante earned a Masters in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology, a Master of Management degree from Asian Institute of Management, and an M.S. in Power Systems Engineering from the University of the Philippines. Mr. Portante is a member of the IEEE Power Engineering Society.

Location       Time

S&L Employees Services, Suite 2709 11:30 AM   Social

55 East Monroe St 11:45 AM   Lunch (optional)

(Enter from Monroe or Adams, near Wabash) 12:00 PM   Presentation

Chicago, IL 60603 1:00 PM   Adjourn

312-269-2000

Location	Time

S&L Employees Services, Suite 2709	11:30 AM	Social
55 East Monroe St	11:45 AM	Lunch (optional)
(Enter from Monroe or Adams, near Wabash)	12:00 PM	Presentation
Chicago, IL 60603	1:00 PM	Adjourn
312-269-2000

Reservations

Please make your reservation by noon on Monday 6 Dec 2010. The preferred reservation method is via the Online Reservation Form. You also may leave your reservation on the IEEE Chicago Section voicemail (630) 493-4333. Please leave the following information: name and date of the meeting, your first and last name, phone number, IEEE member (yes/no), food (yes/no), Exelon employee (yes/no).

Directions to NEW Luncheon Location

You can reach the 27th floor of 55 East Monroe Street from two different elevator banks: one on the South end (Adams Street entrance) and one near the North end (Monroe Street entrance). There is NO need to sign-in at the Building Security console near the middle of the 1st floor (Wabash Street entrance).

There are NO vending machines on the 27th floor, so please bring your lunch with you. If you would like to purchase lunch, then the Under 55 dining room, in the basement on the North end of the building, is recommended.

Take the elevator to 27 and go the the S&L Employees Services Suite 2709 on the East side of the building. Press the door bell adjacent to the entry door. The S&L Receptionist will buzz the door latch and ask you to sign in.

As you sign in, you may request a Discount Parking coupon. When you depart, you must pay for parking at the Automated Pay Station in the Parking Garage elevator lobby on the floor where you parked. First insert the parking ticket, then insert the discount coupon, then make payment. If you pay at the Garage Exit, then the discount is NOT available. With the discount, parking is $13, without $29.

Continuing Education

IEEE technical meetings may be acceptable as continuing education where required for maintenance of professional engineering licensure. Refer to the individual state's requirements for details. A receipt for one Professional Development Hour (PDH) will be provided.

Updated 24 Sep 2010