We study intense geomagnetic storms (Dst < −100nT) during the first half of the solar cycle 24. This type of storm appeared only a few times, mostly associated with southwardly directed heliospheric magnetic fieldBz. Using various methods such as self-organizing maps, statistical and superposed epoch analysis, we show that during and right after intense geomagnetic storms, there is growth in the number of transmission line failures. We also examine the temporal changes in the number of failures during 2010-2014 and find that the growing linear tendency of electrical grid failure occurrence is possibly connected with solar activity. We compare these results with the geoelectric field calculated for the region of Poland using a 1-D layered conductivity Earth model.

During Solar Cycle 24, which started at the end of 2008, the Sun was calm, and there were not many spectacular geoeffective events. In this article, we analyze the geomagnetic storm that happened on 15 July 2012 during the 602nd anniversary of the Polish Battle of Grunwald, thus we propose this event to be called the “Battle of Grunwald Day Storm”. According to NOAA scale, it was a G3 geomagnetic storm with a southward component of the heliospheric magnetic field, $Bz$B z , falling to −20 nT, minimum Dst index of −139 nT, AE index of 1368 nT, and Ap index of 132 nT. It was preceded by a solar flare class X1.4 on 12 July. This geomagnetic storm was associated with the fast halo coronal mass ejection at 16:48:05 UT on 12 July, first appearance in the Large Angle and Spectroscopic Coronagraph C2, with a plane-of-sky speed of 885 km s⁻¹ and maximum of 1415 km s⁻¹. This geomagnetic storm was classified as the fourth strongest geomagnetic storm of Solar Cycle 24. At that time, a significant growth in the failures of the Polish electric transmission lines was observed, which could have a solar origin.

The automotive industry is undergoing significant changes due to increased connectivity, data usage, and vehicle autonomy, which pose new challenges and increase the attack surface of vehicles. To effectively address these challenges, all design tasks in automotive projects need to be well-coordinated and prioritize vehicle security. Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) provides a comprehensive approach that allows multiple engineering disciplines to work concurrently. In this study, we propose the integration of well-established security solutions, such as Security Patterns, into safety-critical automotive systems using the MBSE approach. Our work presents a procedural flow for incorporating Security Patterns into the system model, emphasizing the inclusion of cybersecurity (CySe) and functional safety (FS) actions. To meet the regulatory requirements, we selected the IDS (Intrusion Detection System) pattern as a key component of our proposed CyberSafety Design Framework. In a real-world case study of an Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS), we evaluated the effectiveness of our framework by integrating the IDS pattern with TARA and HARA assessments. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of merging design processes within an MBSE framework, reducing design effort and aligning with the security by design principle. Future research should explore the application of different Security Patterns in conjunction with SOTIF systems, and industry efforts should be directed towards standardizing the collaboration between cybersecurity and safety.

We analyze the solar influence of space weather events on Polish energy infrastructure via geomagnetic disturbances. We consider two time intervals of very different levels of solar activity (SA) in the course of the solar activity cycle 24: 2010—an early rising phase of SA, near the solar minimum and 2014—solar maximum. From the total number of electrical grid failures, we extract almost five thousand failures in 2010 and more than ten thousand in 2014, which could be related to space weather effects. We analyze data of failures having unidentified causes, failures coupled with the aging of transmission network elements and electronic devices, which appeared during the time intervals of enhanced geomagnetic activity. We show that around the times of increasing geomagnetic activity level, the amount of transmission lines failures in the groups mentioned above grows, but mostly with some delay. It might be connected to some cumulative effect due to the result of transient states and their propagation in the distribution network. Although we do not exclude that the other factors may play a role, the solar-originating disturbances strengthen these effects.

The paper is a result of a synergic cooperation of two academic teams, i.e. power engineering and mechanical teams, and a distribution system operator. A real 15 kV overhead line exposed to a catastrophic load of ice and rime was analyzed and three solutions to improve the reliability of the tested object in such conditions were examined. Authors considered: shortening the length of the line spans, heating the main line with increased current and rebuilding the overhead line to a cable line. The researches worked out a FEM model taking into account the newest normatives, simulated the model, experimentally increased the load on the real line with measured wire temperature, and performed multi-variant calculations to determine indicators of reliability, i.e. SAIDI and SAIFI. The analyses were followed by conclusions thanks to which the reliability of power lines exposed to catastrophic icing could be increased. These inferences should be considered and applied by all distribution system operators in Poland.

This article presents the issue of the impact of the operation of prosumer installations on the operation of the distribution network. The emergence of a very large number of distributed generation units in electric distribution networks (in particular, photovoltaic installations in low-voltage grids) can be associated with both positive and negative consequences. Positive consequences can include, among others, the environmental aspect of electricity generation. Negative consequences, on the other hand, can include technical problems of power grid operation, manifested, for example, in changes that can be observed in steady states, in the values of such parameters of grid operation as voltage level, values of branch currents, or power and energy losses. The issue discussed will be illustrated by a calculation example considering, among other things, the size and location of the prosumer installation.