Algorithm for Analysis of Power Grid Vulnerability to Geomagnetic Disturbances

Abstract

Multiple power system equipment damage from strong geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) can significantly disrupt power grid operation. This has happened twice: in 1989, in North America and the United Kingdom and, in 2003, in Scandinavia and South Africa. Modern bulk high-voltage power grids were designed more than 60 years ago for achieving more economic benefits in power transfer. In turn, high-voltage, and especially the lately designed ultrahigh-voltage, grids are more vulnerable to GMD. It is anticipated that the demand of detailed study of power grid's vulnerability to GMD will expand with broader awareness of the negative effects. The common approach requires the knowledge of the data on geophysical parameters of the study region, which is not accessible to the specialists without relevant background. In this paper, an alternative algorithm for preliminary evaluation of power grid's robustness to GMD is proposed. It takes into account various critical factors and provides a useful tool for stakeholders to identify potentially weak power grids and develop mitigation procedures beforehand. The advantage is that this algorithm can be used by specialists who do not have a comprehensive understanding of the GMD effect on power grid operation. Plain Language Summary Major solar storms can occur once every 150 years or so. For us onEarth, space weather can range from the beauty of an aurora borealis to the potentially damaging impact of solar storms on interconnected infrastructure. When solar storm happens, the sun shoots out very strong currents of magnetic energy into space. These currents can interfere with space-borne and ground-based technological systems. They can also disrupt many of the critical services on which modern society relies, so placing risk on financial markets, properties, life and health, etc. Multiple power system equipment damage from strong geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) can cause a large-scale and prolonged blackout. The ongoing development of ultrahigh-voltage grids, on the one hand, and the power grid equipment aging, on the other hand, result in the expansion of high-risk zones. Aimed at risk engineers and technical experts, this paper seeks to provide an algorithm for preliminary analysis of power grid robustness to GMD. The main advantage is that the developed algorithm can be directly used by the electric utilities who even may not have a comprehensive understanding of the GMD physics.

Synchronous machine performance under geomagnetic disturbances

“…Knowledge of the installed power system equipment and GIC amplitude alone are not enough to justify ‘pass’ or ‘suffer the damage’. The power system performance analysis in the presence of a GMD showed that it is a multicriteria problem [56]. The results presented here can be a good basis for the ongoing development of mitigation actions.…”

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

“…This is consistent with the observation of Pulkkinen et al (2006) on the linear relationship between the GIC values and the local time variations of the geomagnetic field. Independently, Sokolova et al (2018) performed a preliminary risk analysis of the Siberian unified power grid, based primarily on the network configuration and equipment condition. These authors do not currently invoke electric field estimates or electrical conductivity models in their analyses.…”

Assessment of Geomagnetically Induced Currents Impact on Power Grid Modelling

“…High-amplitude GIC peaks last for several minutes. Power grid vulnerability is a multi-criteria problem [15]. The same power system equipment can be vulnerable in multiple ways depending on the GMD type.…”