A Colorful Blackout: The Havoc Caused by Auroral Electrojet Generated Magnetic Field Variations in 1989

Guillon, Sébastien; Toner, Patrick; Gibson, L. R.; Boteler, D. H.

doi:10.1109/mpe.2016.2591760

Cited by 51 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…One of the most detrimental impacts of space weather on critical infrastructure is the effect of the geomagnetic storms on the operations of electrical power systems. Depending on the severity of the geomagnetic storms (often referred as Geomagnetic Disturbance, GMD), significant GIC can be produced, followed by multiple negative effects ranging from voltage fluctuations to power blackouts and damage to transformers (see, for example, Molinski, 2002;Guillon et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Frequency Considerations in GIC Applications

Trichtchenko

2021

Space Weather

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Geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) are a phenomenon well known for its negative effects on the operations of power systems. To efficiently mitigate them requires different types of power system modelling, from GIC to alternating current (AC) harmonic generation, to 3-dimensional finite-element models of transformers.GIC are initiated by variations of the geomagnetic field in the presence of the conductive Earth, i.e. the geophysical variables characterized by continuous frequency spectra, making GIC also exhibit continuous spectra. In order to adequately estimate their variations and peak values for mitigation purposes, an analysis is required of how sampling rate and spectral frequency content impact the measured characteristics of GIC and harmonics.The study is based on the geomagnetic measurements and the power network data (i.e. GIC and harmonics) with high sampling rates recorded during two geomagnetic storms, 31 March 2001 and 26-27 July 2004. Availability of data covering both the source and the result of geomagnetic storm impacts on power grid allows (1) analysis of the influence of spectral content on adequate representation of both geomagnetic and geoelectric variations during the intervals with significant increases in GIC and harmonics, and (2) identifying the sampling rate sufficient to usefully represent the network response presented as GIC and harmonics variations. In summary, the adequate sampling rate is suggested and the deficiencies associated with under-sampling of the geoelectric and GIC variations are identified and discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Frequency Considerations in GIC Applications

Trichtchenko

2021

Space Weather

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“…Located at a higher geomagnetic latitude and having experienced a major GIC-related blackout (Hydro-Québec in 1989;Allen et al 1989;Boteler 2001;Bolduc 2002;Guillon et al 2016), Canada is very cognizant of geomagnetic hazards. In Canada, the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is the organization responsible for communicating forecasts and warnings on geomagnetic storms based on models and observed data from the Canadian Automatic Magnetometer Observatory System (CANMOS), NOAA satellites, and other space-based and ground-based observations (e.g., Canadian riometer and GNSS networks for monitoring the ionosphere and radio communication; Larisa Trichtchenko, 2018, written pers.…”

Section: Canadamentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Global/Regional Earth Conductivity Models in Natural Geomagnetic Hazard Mitigation

Kelbert

2019

Surv Geophys

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Geomagnetic disturbances cause perturbations in the Earth's magnetic field which, by the principle of electromagnetic induction, in turn cause electric currents to flow in the Earth. These geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) also enter man-made technological conductors that are grounded; notably, telegraph systems, submarine cables and pipelines, and, perhaps most significantly, electric power grids, where transformer groundings at power grid substations serve as entry points for GICs. The strength of the GICs that flow through a transformer depends on multiple factors, including the spatiotemporal signature of the geomagnetic disturbance, the geometry and specifications of the power grid, and the electrical conductivity structure of the Earth's subsurface. Strong GICs are hazardous to power grids and other infrastructure; for example, they can severely damage transformers and thereby cause extensive blackouts. Extreme space weather is therefore hazardous to man-made technologies. The phenomena of extreme geomagnetic disturbances, including storms and substorms, and their effects on human activity are commonly referred to as geomagnetic hazards. Here, we provide a review of relevant GIC studies from around the world and describe their common and unique features, while focusing especially on the effects that the Earth's electrical conductivity has on the GICs flowing in the electric power grids.

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“…If the global maximum point is desired, the angular frequency ω should also be added as the third unknown parameter in (4) and the resulting equations should be solved for three unknowns. However, frequency is typically preferred to serve as an input parameter obtained from the observed behaviour of the geoelectric field.…”

Section: Multi-zone Earth Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) is a kind of natural event that can induce a voltage in the ground layers and transmission systems and drive the geomagnetically induced current (GIC) in power grids. Very low-frequency nature of GIC within 0.1-100 mHz range causes quasi-dc effects with detrimental consequences in the power system [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] and transformers [8,9]. The March 1989 Hydro-Quebec power system blackout due to GMD is a prominent event that left nine million people without power for more than eight hours.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%