Toward More Accurate GIC Estimations in the Portuguese Power Network

Abstract New geomagnetically induced current (GIC) computations for mainland Portugal include the entire power network, with network parameters and topology provided by the transmission grid operator for all the high voltage lines (150, 220, and 400 kV). The first 3D conductivity model for the west...

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Main Authors: Joana Alves Ribeiro, Fernando J. G. Pinheiro, Maria Alexandra Pais, Rute Santos, João Cardoso, Pedro Baltazar‐Soares, Fernando A. Monteiro Santos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2023-06-01
Series:Space Weather
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2022SW003397
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author Joana Alves Ribeiro
Fernando J. G. Pinheiro
Maria Alexandra Pais
Rute Santos
João Cardoso
Pedro Baltazar‐Soares
Fernando A. Monteiro Santos
author_facet Joana Alves Ribeiro
Fernando J. G. Pinheiro
Maria Alexandra Pais
Rute Santos
João Cardoso
Pedro Baltazar‐Soares
Fernando A. Monteiro Santos
author_sort Joana Alves Ribeiro
collection DOAJ
description Abstract New geomagnetically induced current (GIC) computations for mainland Portugal include the entire power network, with network parameters and topology provided by the transmission grid operator for all the high voltage lines (150, 220, and 400 kV). The first 3D conductivity model for the west region of the Iberian Peninsula, based on 31 broadband magnetotelluric soundings, is used in calculations, revealing the effect of different crustal domains in GIC distribution. Geomagnetic field variations are taken from Coimbra or San Fernando magnetic observatories, according to the Nearest Neighbor method, and used together with surface impedance values predicted from the new conductivity model to calculate the induced electric field on a regular grid. The global distribution of GICs over the power network is characterized based on results derived for the eight most significant storms registered in the Iberia during solar cycle 24. Substations susceptible to the highest GICs are found near the transition between the granitic geotectonic unit of Central Iberian Zone and the Lusitanian Basin. A prototype of a Hall effect sensor has been installed at a substation and is active since the end of August 2021. In order to validate our GIC model, recent measurements are compared with simulations. GIC computation is prone to uncertainties from various sources, possibly contributing with different weights to the final error in computed values. Here, we evaluate the contribution of substation earthing resistance and nonuniqueness of the conductivity model to the final GIC uncertainties.
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spelling doaj-art-58a1745fedbe46fbbc33b291bc38c89c2025-01-14T16:27:02ZengWileySpace Weather1542-73902023-06-01216n/an/a10.1029/2022SW003397Toward More Accurate GIC Estimations in the Portuguese Power NetworkJoana Alves Ribeiro0Fernando J. G. Pinheiro1Maria Alexandra Pais2Rute Santos3João Cardoso4Pedro Baltazar‐Soares5Fernando A. Monteiro Santos6Department of Physics CITEUC University of Coimbra Coimbra PortugalDepartment of Physics CITEUC University of Coimbra Coimbra PortugalDepartment of Physics CITEUC University of Coimbra Coimbra PortugalDepartment of Physics CITEUC University of Coimbra Coimbra PortugalDepartment of Physics LIBPhys University of Coimbra Coimbra PortugalFaculty of Sciences Instituto Dom Luiz University of Lisbon Lisbon PortugalFaculty of Sciences Instituto Dom Luiz University of Lisbon Lisbon PortugalAbstract New geomagnetically induced current (GIC) computations for mainland Portugal include the entire power network, with network parameters and topology provided by the transmission grid operator for all the high voltage lines (150, 220, and 400 kV). The first 3D conductivity model for the west region of the Iberian Peninsula, based on 31 broadband magnetotelluric soundings, is used in calculations, revealing the effect of different crustal domains in GIC distribution. Geomagnetic field variations are taken from Coimbra or San Fernando magnetic observatories, according to the Nearest Neighbor method, and used together with surface impedance values predicted from the new conductivity model to calculate the induced electric field on a regular grid. The global distribution of GICs over the power network is characterized based on results derived for the eight most significant storms registered in the Iberia during solar cycle 24. Substations susceptible to the highest GICs are found near the transition between the granitic geotectonic unit of Central Iberian Zone and the Lusitanian Basin. A prototype of a Hall effect sensor has been installed at a substation and is active since the end of August 2021. In order to validate our GIC model, recent measurements are compared with simulations. GIC computation is prone to uncertainties from various sources, possibly contributing with different weights to the final error in computed values. Here, we evaluate the contribution of substation earthing resistance and nonuniqueness of the conductivity model to the final GIC uncertainties.https://doi.org/10.1029/2022SW003397GIC estimationconductivity modelerror estimatesGIC measurementsPortugal mainland
spellingShingle Joana Alves Ribeiro
Fernando J. G. Pinheiro
Maria Alexandra Pais
Rute Santos
João Cardoso
Pedro Baltazar‐Soares
Fernando A. Monteiro Santos
Toward More Accurate GIC Estimations in the Portuguese Power Network
Space Weather
GIC estimation
conductivity model
error estimates
GIC measurements
Portugal mainland
title Toward More Accurate GIC Estimations in the Portuguese Power Network
title_full Toward More Accurate GIC Estimations in the Portuguese Power Network
title_fullStr Toward More Accurate GIC Estimations in the Portuguese Power Network
title_full_unstemmed Toward More Accurate GIC Estimations in the Portuguese Power Network
title_short Toward More Accurate GIC Estimations in the Portuguese Power Network
title_sort toward more accurate gic estimations in the portuguese power network
topic GIC estimation
conductivity model
error estimates
GIC measurements
Portugal mainland
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2022SW003397
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