Electric and magnetic fields (EMF) are present whenever and wherever electricity is generated, transmitted, and used. Radiofrequency (RF) emissions are prevalent due to the adoption of wireless communication devices, smart meters, inverters, etc. Understanding and concerns around potential environmental health and safety impacts related to these EMF and RF exposures are evolving as the need for electrification and grid resiliency increases. Through this project, National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) will collaborate with Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to carry out fundamental research to assess the uncertainties and potential impact of EMFs and RFs on human and non-human biota, develop models and characterization for EMFs and RFs, and synthesise global developments in the field, for use in the UK energy industry.
Benefits
Financial:
This project is expected to deliver a financial benefit of £864k to UK consumers over a 5 year period. This assessment is based on comparing the estimated research costs from EPRI’s leveraged funding mechanism in the innovation option, and estimated annual costs involved in a few research projects that would have to be commissioned by NGET independently in baseline option.
In absence of latest outcomes from EMF research, other utilities have reported that 4-15% of total project costs is spent on EMF reduction techniques. These include measures such as undergrounding near residential and commercial properties, introducing corridors around overhead lines, compact tower usage, cable screening with metal tubes or passive loops and health screening of communities close to lines. If EMF and RF are not managed in the UK as effectively, given the scale of the program of works to achieve Net Zero, this would result in very high mitigation costs and delays in consenting.
Health and Safety:
Outcomes from this project will enable NGET to operate a robust worker safety program for its staff and appropriate measures for community health, particularly in proximity to electricity assets. It will also enable effective communication of potential health impacts from electricity assets, to the UK electricity industry and the public.
Learnings
Outcomes
The EPRI program P60 has been developing insights and understanding of potential or perceived risks from EMF exposure. In the P60A - Health Studies and Risk Communication strand, the latest pooled analysis of the link between EMF and CL has indicated no increased risk of CL due to EMF. The work on TransExpo study, which aims to bring clarity on whether EMF is responsible for the uncertainty around CL by removing selection bias in such studies, has continued. Further research into these subjects within P60 program will continue and provide science-backed outcomes to the industry and policy makers. Further, the EHS information brief developed in 2021/22 will help industry in their risk communication with public on the subject of EMF. In the P60B - Exposure Characterization and Management strand, research has developed insights into EMF mitigation measures to be taken as EV uptake evolves further and built a software package called EM FAST which can be used to characterise EMF around transmission and distribution lines. Further, beta version of EMF Occupational Database 1.0, which will help industry with EMF related occupational risk assessments, was developed and tested.
Research into new technology, such as 5G and battery storage helps identify future occupational and public acceptance issues. In addition to these a comprehensive EMF management reference book has been developed and published to help the industry assess the EMF impacts of new assets in order to facility the infrastructure needed to connect new renewable generation.
Additionally, the EPRI research program continues to be pivotal in the formulation of the UK’s carefully thought-out EMF guidelines and policies. These ensure that the public and employees are protected against EMF without additional costly measures being introduced with no scientific basis.
Lessons Learnt
Several of the strands of work within this program have benefited from active involvement by National Grid scientists and engineers. This includes active promotion of research items that will benefit the UK consumers. National Grid regards one of the lessons learned as understanding that the maximum benefit from a subscription to a program like this is obtained not just by providing the funding but by active engagement and influence over the conduct of the research and the shaping of the program. National Grid are currently the Utility Advisory Board Chair and is adding value to the subscription by carrying out its function of the chair. Many of the research strands have helped the electricity industry and stakeholders in the UK with communication around EMF and heath and assessing impacts of future technologies, helping with the transition to Net Zero.
Dissemination
There are three principal methods for disseminating the learning to other network licensees and to consumers and the broader public:
- https://www.emfs.info/
- peer-reviewed scientific publications (which are listed on https://www.emfs.info/)
- the ENA EMF Strategy Committee, where updates on research are a standing item on the agendas for the twice-yearly meetings
Year 2021/22
In October 2021, EPRI held the ‘P60 EMF-RF Workshop: EMF/RF Considerations for the future energy system’ workshop online where various research strands were presented, along with additional speakers including National Grid. Network Licensees were invited to attend. Topics discussed included:
- EMF Health Concerns – An Overview of the History, Current Understanding, and Gaps
- EMF Litigation Concerns – A Utility Perspective
- Emerging ELF EMF Issues with Application of HVDC and Hybrid Lines
- Stakeholder Issues with HVDC Interconnector
- Emerging RF Issues with Installation of 5G Telecommunication Networks on Utility Infrastructure
- RF Litigation Concerns with Smart Meters and 5G
A number of technical webinars have presented research outcomes, measurement techniques and risk communication strategies to the funders, with more planned in future years. These include:
- Technical webinar: Electrohypersensitivity- 19th May 2021
- P60 EM Fast software tutorial- 20th July 2021
- EMF measurements for public exposures – 31st March 2022
The following peer reviewed papers have been published in publicly accessible journals:
1. Amoon, A; Swanson, J.; Magnani, C.; Johansen, C.; Kheifets, L. 2022. Pooled analysis of recent studies of magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia. Environ Res. 204(A) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0013935121012883?via%3Dihub
2. Nguyen A, Crespi C.M., Vergara X, Kheifets L. Commercial outdoor plant nurseries as a confounder for electromagnetic fields and childhood leukemia risk. Published in Environmental Research. 2022 Sep;212(C):113446. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2022.113446
Year 2022/23
In June and July 2022, EPRI held the ‘P60 program portfolio rollout’ webcast online where various research strands and the strategy for the upcoming years were presented.
In addition to this a number of technical webinars have presented research outcomes, measurement techniques and risk communication strategies to the funders. These include:
- Discussion of Bioinitiative report - 26th May 2022
- Technical Webinar: Dirty Electricity Part 1 - 28th June 2022
- Technical Webinar: Dirty Electricity Part 2 – 27th October 2022
A paper entitled ‘Pesticides as an Independent Childhood Leukemia Risk Factor and as a Confounder for Electromagnetic Fields Exposure’ has been submitted for peer-review and is awaiting a publication date. The same applies to a paper covering ‘RF-EMF Exposure near 5G NR Small Cells’, which is expected to be published soon.
