Analysis of the impact of geomagnetic disturbances on the Austrian transmission grid

Halbedl, Thomas Stefan; Renner, Herwig; Bailey, Roger C.; Leonhardt, Roman; Achleitner, Georg

doi:10.1109/pscc.2016.7540833

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 19 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Previous studies in Austria have established basic models of GICs in the Austrian power network managed by the Austrian Power Grid (APG) and analyzed the first sets of measurements (Bailey et al, ; Halbedl et al, , ). Measurements of direct currents flowing through the neutral points of transformers have been carried out across the network by the APG and Technical University of Graz, starting in 2014 with one specific node and adding four more stations in 2016 and 2017.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validating GIC Models With Measurements in Austria: Evaluation of Accuracy and Sensitivity to Input Parameters

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Space weather events can cause geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in power transmission networks. Over the past years, these currents have been measured in multiple substations in Austria, and the measurements have been tested against a model of local GIC with the aim of producing an optimized model, which can be developed through evaluation of various input parameters. We show the impact the choice of the local resistivity, in particular the surface conductivity in thin-sheet modeling, and the source of geomagnetic variations has on GIC modeling. In addition, the sensitivity of the model to the accuracy of the network configuration is also investigated. This encompasses the inclusion of power grids outside of Austria in the model as well as the consequences of removal of a substation either through transformer failure or active disconnection. Results show that a detailed surface conductivity model brings benefits to areas with large lateral conductivity variations and that there are certain substations that lead to increases and decreases of GIC in the rest of the network when removed. The importance of regionally representative geomagnetic field measurements is also highlighted and shown to impact model accuracy. This study concentrates on regional effects, but the results are also valid for large-scale studies elsewhere. node and adding four more stations in 2016 and 2017. The purpose of this paper is to expand on the former study using the same model and particularly to utilize measurements collected at multiple different stations to evaluate the importance and required accuracy of model input parameters for the best results.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validating GIC Models With Measurements in Austria: Evaluation of Accuracy and Sensitivity to Input Parameters

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The higher levels of noise were eventually correlated with geomagnetic activity. Soon after, in partnership with the APG, studies into the presence and nature of GICs in Austria were started (Halbedl et al, 2014(Halbedl et al, , 2016.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling geomagnetically induced currents in midlatitude Central Europe using a thin-sheet approach

et al. 2017

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in power systems, which can lead to transformer damage over the short and the long term, are a result of space weather events and geomagnetic variations. For a long time, only high-latitude areas were considered to be at risk from these currents, but recent studies show that considerable GICs also appear in midlatitude and equatorial countries. In this paper, we present initial results from a GIC model using a thinsheet approach with detailed surface and subsurface conductivity models to compute the induced geoelectric field. The results are compared to measurements of direct currents in a transformer neutral and show very good agreement for shortperiod variations such as geomagnetic storms. Long-period signals such as quiet-day diurnal variations are not represented accurately, and we examine the cause of this misfit. The modelling of GICs from regionally varying geoelectric fields is discussed and shown to be an important factor contributing to overall model accuracy. We demonstrate that the Austrian power grid is susceptible to large GICs in the range of tens of amperes, particularly from strong geomagnetic variations in the east-west direction.

show abstract

“…Several studies of interest have been performed in Austria in recent years. The earlier studies in Austria established basic models of GICs in the Austrian power network managed by the Austrian Power Grid (APG) and analyzed the first sets of measurements (Halbedl et al 2014;Bailey et al 2017;Halbedl et al 2017). Measurements of direct currents flowing through the neutral points of transformers have been carried out across the network by the APG and Technical University of Graz, starting in 2014 with one specific node and adding four more stations in 2016 and 2017.…”

Section: Europe: Austriamentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Kelbert

2019

Surv Geophys

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Analysis of the impact of geomagnetic disturbances on the Austrian transmission grid

Cited by 9 publications

References 19 publications

Validating GIC Models With Measurements in Austria: Evaluation of Accuracy and Sensitivity to Input Parameters

Validating GIC Models With Measurements in Austria: Evaluation of Accuracy and Sensitivity to Input Parameters

Modelling geomagnetically induced currents in midlatitude Central Europe using a thin-sheet approach

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

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About