Abstract
Geomagnetically induced current (GIC) has been a significant concern for the electrical power grid in high latitudes for decades. Its origin starts in the Sun; during extreme space weather, the magnetic field of the Earth varies rapidly. This variation induces electric fields at the Earth's surface and leads to GICs in manmade technologies. Power systems are the most affected by this induced current, which causes half-cycle saturation of power transformers and other issues. Understanding the behaviours and chain effects of this phenomenon is the key consideration in modelling the hazards to technological systems from space weather. In this paper, a comprehensive review of space weather, geomagnetic disturbances (GMDs) and GICs and their impacts on the power systems in both high and mid-low latitude regions is presented. Additionally, we highlight the most commonly used methods to model and calculate geoelectric fields at the Earth's surface and GIC in the power systems with respect to DC and AC analysis. In addition, we have classified the GIC effects on the different power system components. Moreover, the possible solutions and mitigation techniques to eliminate or reduce these effects based on different GIC blocking devices are reviewed in this work. This work provides researchers and power system operators a shortcut road path to understanding GIC phenomena, modelling and calculations, effects, and mitigation of these effects.
Highlights
Activities on the Sun, such as solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and prominences, cause strong space weather and solar storms or geomagnetic disturbances (GMD) [1]–[4]
We have summarized the chain of Geomagnetically induced current (GIC) events starting from the Sun to the ground technological infostructures on Earth, and we provided the most common techniques to calculate GIC on power systems in separate stages
The presented historical events are clear examples of the impacts and severe GMDs on electrical power systems, and even the flow of even a small GIC value will cause a half-cycle of saturation in a large power transformer
Summary
Activities on the Sun, such as solar flares, coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and prominences, cause strong space weather and solar storms or geomagnetic disturbances (GMD) [1]–[4]. The study in [122] focused only on the calculation part of the surface electric and magnetic fields and on GICs in ground-based technological systems; and additional consideration is that this review work was conducted a long time ago, and much recent information has been missed. The GIC calculation from the engineering perspective is introduced It includes the DC equivalent models’ conversion of different power system components, such as the induced electric field in the transmission lines, power transformers, shunt and series devices, ground resistance and neighbouring networks. The conversion of these DC models is significant to be considered and understood for GIC calculations in power systems based on DC analysis since GIC is quasi-dc current. This work presents very effective information and understanding to researchers in this area of study
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