Assessment of Geomagnetically Induced Currents in Low Latitude Regions with respect to Severe Geomagnetic Storm over Solar Cycle 24

Abstract

Space Weather Perturbation – driven Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GIC) can cause the adverse impact to series of ground technological instruments. Power networks are the most affected technological facilities that experience malfunctions due to GIC phenomenon. High latitude regions experience more power network operation flaws due to this natural threat compared to mid latitude and low latitude regions. However different event of solar activities exhibit different space weather perturbations impacts regionally. Therefore, in this study, a thorough analysis of GIC activities during 6 severe geomagnetic storms in low latitude regions over solar cycle 24 based on Time Derivative of Horizontal Component of Geomagnetic Field (dH/dt) analysis are conducted. The results revealed that there is non-uniform latitudinal distribution of averaged dH/dt value in low latitude region and high GIC occurrences are observed during dayside. The correlation analysis between Solar Wind Parameters and GIC activities depicted that solar wind dynamic pressure (Psw) and Solar wind input energy (ε) act as Solar wind driver for the occurrences of GIC in low latitude region.