On the flow of geomagnetically induced currents in an electric power transmission network

2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (5) ◽  
pp. 357-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Risto J. Pirjola
Keyword(s):  
Electric Power ◽  
Power Transmission ◽  
Power Grid ◽  
Space Physics ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Test Model ◽  
Geomagnetically Induced Currents ◽  
Geophysical Research ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Induced Currents

Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in conductor networks are among the ground-level effects of space weather. GICs are a possible source of problems to the system. Today, electric power transmission grids are the most important concern regarding GICs, which may in the worst cases lead to blackouts in large areas and permanent damage to transformers. The evaluation of GIC risks and the design of possible countermeasures require estimation of expected GIC magnitudes in transformers. This can be achieved by model calculations supplemented by GIC recordings at some sites. Although in principle GICs can flow all over a large galvanically-connected power grid, which should thus be included as a whole in a GIC calculation, the network must usually be restricted somehow in practical computations of GICs. By using a power grid test model, this paper provides a systematic numerical investigation showing that GICs do not flow over very long distances in a power grid, which is a good result and justifies the neglect of the parts of the network that lie far away from the area of primary interest. Besides practical significance in electric power engineering, studies of GICs can be used for space physics and geophysical research as well. It is also important to understand the features of the flow pattern of GICs in a network.

scholarly journals Spatial Scale of Geomagnetic Pc5/pi3 Pulsations as a Factor of Their Efficiency in Generation of Geomagnetically Induced Currents

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadezda V. Yagova ◽  
Vyacheslav Pilipenko ◽  
Yaroslav Sakharov ◽  
Vasily Selivanov
Keyword(s):  
Electric Power ◽  
Spatial Scale ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Power Transmission ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Power Line ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Geomagnetically Induced Currents ◽  
Electric Power Line ◽  
Induced Currents

Abstract Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in a meridional power transmission line at the Kola Peninsula are analyzed during the intervals of Pc5/Pi3 (frequency range from 1.5 to 5 mHz) pulsation activity observed at the IMAGE magnetometer network. We have analyzed GIC in a transformer at the terminal station Vykhodnoj (68◦N, 33◦E) during the entire year of 2015, near the maximum of 24-th Solar cycle. To quantify the efficiency of GIC generation by a geomagnetic pulsation, a ratio between power spectral densities of GIC and magnetic field variations is introduced. Upon examination of the efficiency of geomagnetic pulsations in GIC generation, the emphasis is given to its dependence on frequency and spatial scale. To estimate pulsation spatial scales in latitudinal and longitudinal directions, the triangle of stations KEV-SOD-KIL has been used. Large-scale pulsations along the electric power line (with a high spectral coherence, low phase difference, and similar amplitudes) are found to be more effective in GIC generation than small-scale pulsations. The accuracy of GIC prediction also depends on the pulsation scale transversal to the electric power line.

Validating GIC modelling in the Spanish power grid by differential magnetometry

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Miquel Torta ◽  
Santiago Marsal ◽  
Juan J. Curto ◽  
Oscar Cid ◽  
Miguel Ibañez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computational Models ◽  
Power Transmission ◽  
Geomagnetic Storms ◽  
Power Grid ◽  
Raspberry Pi ◽  
Geomagnetically Induced Currents ◽  
Transmission Grid ◽  
Magnetic Signatures ◽  
Induced Currents ◽  
Grid Operators

<p>A series of experiences and recommendations are presented concerning the measurement of geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) in the Spanish power transmission grid by use of the method of differential magnetometry under power lines, by which differential observations are made (one below the line and another at a few hundred meters away) using vector magnetometers to capture the magnetic effect of the GIC flowing through them. This indirect technique, aimed at obtaining observations to validate GIC computational models, is an alternative to the more common way of measuring the current flow in the transformer neutrals, as it does not rely on the involved power grid operators. In contrast, the selection of a suitable site devoid of human interferences, the need of power for the magnetometer/acquisition system, and the election of the appropriate instrumentation are difficulties that often require costly solutions. Our methodology includes the settlement of appropriate magnetometers with the correct levelling and orientation placed inside buried water-proof containers. The magnetometers are fed by solar panel-battery systems, and we have also developed low-consumption data-transmission models using Raspberry-Pi with GPRS connection technology. According to our experience, only induced currents above about 1 A give magnetic signatures that exceed the noise threshold. As we started measuring during the solar minimum and Spain is a mid-latitude country, the latter fact limited the significance of available recorded data, but we can already report and analyse the results for a number of minor geomagnetic storms.</p>

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