A new model has been created to measure the economic risks that solar storms could pose to the U.S. power grid. Solar storms, which are caused by eruptions on the sun’s surface, can disrupt Earth's magnetic field and create electrical currents that may damage transformers and other critical components of the power grid. These events, known as geomagnetic storms, are a growing concern for modern infrastructure, even though their risks are not yet fully understood or quantified. Historically, solar storms have had significant impacts. In 1967, a powerful solar storm interfered with early radar systems in the United States, leading to confusion that nearly resulted in a mistaken attack on the Soviet Union. Fortunately, timely warnings from solar forecasters prevented a potential disaster. Today, while the immediate danger has passed, the long-term threat of space weather remains a serious issue for global infrastructure, particularly the power grid. To better understand and quantify this risk, researchers led by Oughton developed a new framework that combines physics, engineering, and economics. This model aims to estimate the economic impact of extreme geomagnetic storms—specifically, events that occur once every 250 years. The study, published in the journal AGU Advances, uses historical data and simulations to assess how such a storm might affect the U.S. power grid and its associated economic systems. The model was tested by comparing its predictions with real-world measurements from the Tennessee Valley Authority during the 2024 Gannon storm, a major geomagnetic event. According to the model, a 100-year storm—less severe than the 250-year event—could leave 3.5 million people and 91,000 businesses without power, resulting in $1.22 billion in daily economic losses. A 250-year storm, the most intense scenario analyzed, would be far more damaging, potentially affecting 5 million people and over 135,000 businesses, with daily losses reaching up to $1.81 billion. The study underscores the need for improved infrastructure resilience and highlights the importance of preparing for such rare but potentially catastrophic events. The research also calls for further studies on how multiple hazards—like a geomagnetic storm coinciding with a heatwave or hurricane—could compound the damage to the power grid. Understanding these complex interactions is crucial for developing more robust strategies to protect critical infrastructure from the unpredictable forces of space weather.