Modeling Grounding Systems for Electromagnetic Compatibility Analysis

In recent years, the development of smart grids for power distribution and the increasing usage of 5G communication networks have played a large impact on the resilience and reliability of grounding systems. Unexpected electromagnetic coupling between a communication tower and the one used for the electric power networks may pose a threat to the suitable performance of either system as one must assure that electromagnetic compatibility together with unexpected transient issues is within reasonable parameters. This requires wideband modeling of a grounding system, typically carried out using numerical approaches based on the Method of Moments. This modeling is implied in numerous segments to represent the conductors involved and the numerical solution of a double integral for each one of these segments. The modified nodal formulation used to obtain system voltages and branch currents is first solved in the frequency domain, leading to a heavy computational burden and a time-consuming simulation. This chapter briefly reviews the procedure used to model grounding grids and presents some results to illustrate the typical behavior. Afterward, a more complex system comprising a case of electromagnetic coupling is then analyzed to illustrate the impact of nearby grounding grids.

Optimization of substation grounding grid design for horizontal and vertical multilayer and uniform soil condition using Simulated Annealing method

Grounding systems are critical in safeguarding people and equipment from power system failures. A grounding system’s principal goal is to offer the lowest impedance path for undesired fault current. Optimization of the grounding grid designs is important in satisfying the minimum cost of the grounding system and safeguarding those people who work in the surrounding area of the grounded installations. Currently, there is no systematic guidance or standard for grounding grid designs that include two-layer soil and its effects on grounding grid systems, particularly vertically layered soil. Furthermore, while numerous studies have been conducted on optimization, relatively limited study has been done on the problem of optimizing the grounding grid in two-layer soil, particularly in vertical soil structures. This paper presents the results of optimization for substation grounding systems using the Simulated Annealing (SA) algorithm in different soil conditions which conforms to the safety requirements of the grounding system. Practical features of grounding grids in various soil conditions discussed in this paper (uniform soil, two-layer horizontal soil, and two-layer vertical soil) are considered during problem formulation and solution algorithm. The proposed algorithm’s results show that the number of grid conductors in the X and Y directions (Nx and Ny), as well as vertical rods (Nr), can be optimized from initial numbers of 35% for uniform soil, 57% for horizontal two-layer soil for ρ1> ρ2, and 33% for horizontal two-layer soil for ρ1< ρ2, and 29% for vertical two-layer soil structure. In other words, the proposed technique would be able to utilize square and rectangle-shaped grounding grids with a number of grid conductors and vertical rods to be implemented in uniform, two-layer horizontal and vertical soil structure, depending on the resistivity of the soil layer.

Transient lightning response to grounding grids buried in horizontal multilayered earth model considering time domain quasi-static complex image method and soil ionization effect

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a fast, accurate and efficient algorithm for assessment of transient behavior of grounding grids buried in horizontal multilayered earth model considering soil ionization effect. Design/methodology/approach The purpose of this paper is to develop a numerical simulation method to calculate the lightning impulse response of the grounding grid buried in a horizontal multilayered earth model. The mathematical model about the hybrid method based on PI basic function belonging to time domain is proposed in the paper; the mode can precisely calculate the lightning current distribution and lightning impulse response to grounding grids buried in horizontal multilayered soil model considering soil ionization effect. To increase computing efficiency, quasi-static complex image method (QSCIM) and its time-domain Green’s function closed form are introduced in the model. Findings The hybrid model is rather stable, with the respect to the number of elements used and with excellent convergence rate. In addition, because this mathematical model belongs to the time domain algorithm, it is very powerful for the simulation of soil ionization caused by high amplitude lightning current. Research limitations/implications To increase computing efficiency, QSCIM and its time domain Green's function closed form are introduced in the model. Practical implications The mathematical model about the hybrid method based on PI basic function can precisely calculate the lightning current distribution and lightning impulse response to grounding grids buried in horizontal multilayered soil model considering the soil ionization effect. Social implications Considering the soil ionization effect, the simulation calculation of lightning impulse response of substation grounding grid buried in the actual horizontal multilayered earth can effectively support the scientific and efficient design of lightning protection performance of substation grounding grid. Originality/value The hybrid model in time domain is originally developed by the authors and used to precisely calculate the lightning current distribution and lightning impulse response to grounding grids buried in horizontal multilayered soil model considering soil ionization effect. It is simple and very efficient and can easily be extended to arbitrary grounding configurations.

Research Advances of Soil Corrosion of Grounding Grids

A grounding grid plays the role of discharging current and balancing voltage to ensure the safety of the power system. However, soil corrosion can damage the grounding grid, which then can endanger the safe operation of power system. This paper reviewed recent research advances of soil corrosion of grounding grid. The cause, mechanism, types, and influencing factors of soil corrosion of grounding grids were summarized, and the corresponding detection technology and protective measures were also introduced. The paper pointed out that soil corrosion is a serious threat to the grounding grid system. Moreover, the impact mechanism of AC stray current, new corrosion detection technology, and better protective measures still need in-depth research.

Analysis of the performance of grounding grids buried in heterogeneous soil under impulse current

The present paper is devoted to analyzing the transient behaviour of simple grounding grids subjected to impulse lightning current. The transmission line method (TLM) involving mutual coupling between conductors will be used. The transient behaviour of grounding grids buried in homogeneous and in heterogeneous soil is going to be evaluated into a complete time domain solution. Different simulations carried out altering, the influence of the grid dimensions, the kind of the ground and the current injection point on the grid voltage and impedance will be presented. Simulation results will be shown for two extreme cases: in the first case the current is in the center of the grid and in the second one it is injected in one corner of the two configurations of grids. The obtained results show that the grid 1x1 gives the lowest transient potential when the injection point is in lower resistivity side, and the grid 2x2 presents better behavior when the current is injected at center point. It is obvious that the suggested simulations are in a good agreement, with corresponding results of other researchers.