There is untapped scientific wealth in commercial data streams – particularly small ground-based networks. Although ground-based measurements have long been the cornerstone of hazard metrics for space weather, the networks that provide them remain undervalued and under-supported within the research community. This has led to increased value in the data provided by the private sector, including companies that support data streams and end-users who manage internal operational data streams for hazard mitigation.

This presentation of a power system hazard analysis shows an example of the research resulting from data sources provided by commercial power companies. It also discusses the history and implications of making these data open and available. Data sharing between the research community and space weather end-users requires collaboration, communication, and trust – and it has to be a partnership where both groups benefit.