Power Applications of Lightning Detection 101705

Thunderstorm
Information Systems
(TIS) and the Power
Utility Industry
Applications of Thunderstorm Information Systems to the Power Industry

Edward Bardo
Product Manager, Lightning Sensors and Systems-Vaisala Tucson
Vaisala and Thunderstorm Detection
Vaisala is the world leader in lightning
detection with over 90% of the world
market.
Vaisala has been producing reliable lightning
detection systems for about 30 years.
No other company in the world has as much
research and field experience as Vaisala
in the area of lightning detection.
Vaisala’s networks use a combination of
technologies to give high performance
and quality results.
©Vaisala | date | Ref. code | Page 2

Worldwide Market Acceptance
Vaisala equipment is installed and operating in 42 countries
20 of the 25 largest meteorological agencies have a national

thunderstorm network.
8 of the 10 largest power companies use lightning information.
ALL with Vaisala technology

Worldwide Presence with Networks
Vaisala TS Lightning Location Networks are in

∆
operation in 42 countries, serving :
38 National Meteorological Services
22 Aviation authorities
149 Electric power companies
15 Defense agencies
••LF
LFsensors
sensors
∆∆SAFIR
SAFIRsensors
sensors
Corporate Philosophy – “Vaisala Reliable”
• Leading Technology - Technological advancement is an integral

part of our corporate charter – Vaisala technology gets better and better.
• Reliability - Equipment reliability will be the foundation of customer

confidence – It will go in and it will work
• 30,000+ hour projected sensor MTBF
• 57,000 hour actual MTBF in the field
• 30 minute MTTR
• Support - We will judge the quality of our customer relationships at

the end of 10 years, not at the beginning. Our support structure keeps
systems going for many years.
• Experience – Vaisala’s experience in lightning detection doesn’t just

come from providing lightning networks through the years, but from
operating the world’s largest network, the National Lightning Detection
Network.

Overview of Lightning Detection Technology

Overview of Lightning Detection Technology
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Differences in LF and VHF Signals
• C-G lightning emits the highest amplitude pulses in the low frequency (LF)
to very low frequency (VLF) range due to a large amount of current
moving over large distances.
• Cloud lightning involves short range discharges with very little current.
The result is small LF pulses but larger very high frequency (VHF) pulses.
• Since the overall electrification and lightning discharge process involves
many small electrical events, most of these are not seen in the LF
frequency range.
• Compare the differences of a lightning flashes at different frequencies.

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A Brief Overview
•C-G lightning is typically detected in the LF range.

•The C-G lightning has a certain fingerprint that is detected in its
waveform.
•C-G lightning can be located using one of these methods.
Time of Arrival (TOA)
Magnetic Direction Finding (MDF)

Time-of-arrival (TOA)
• Employs 3 or more sensors that measure the arrival time of the lightning
discharge.
• GPS is used to give very accurate timing information.
• The sensors measure the relative time difference between arrival times at
multiple sensors.
• Each pair of sensors gives a hyperbola that shows a all possible solutions
that match the time difference calculations.
• When 3 or more sensors are used, it is possible to locate lightning by the
intersection of these hyperbolas.
• With only 3 sensors, it is possible to have 2 solutions with 3 hyperbolas.
• Use of four sensors guarantees a unique solution.

Time-of-arrival Location Method
1. Lightning makes contact with
the ground creating a return
stroke.
Sensor 1
2. The LF singal propogates in
all directions and is picked up
LF by the LF antenna on each
sensor. The time of arrival of
the LF Signal is time stamped.
3. The equal time difference

STROKE POSITION between sensor 1 and sensor 2
are marked with the blue line
4. The equal time difference

Sensor 3 between sensor 1 and sensor 3
are marked with the purple line
Sensor 2 5. The equal time difference

between sensor 2 and sensor 3
are marked with the green line
6. The intersection of three or

more hyperbolas is the stroke
location.

Disadvantages of TOA method
• Requires 4 sensors to guarantee
a solution. Possibility of false
Sensor 1 location with less than 4 sensors.
• Often has ghost storms and
falsely plotted locations
FALSE • Typically works in the low
POSITION frequency (LF) band so does not
detect a majority of cloud lightning
• Older methodology and
Sensor 3 technology
STROKE POSITION
• Vaisala and Vaisala
customers have been
operating TOA networks for
Sensor 2 many years and have each
determined that this method
has clear shortcomings that
needed improvement.
Example of an ambiguous location for a three-sensor
hyperbolic intersection

Magnetic Direction Finding
• In MDF the sensor measures the azimuth (angle from true north)
between sensor and lightning stroke.
• MDF uses triangulation to plot a location. In other words, lightning
would be located at the intersection of two or more vectors from the
sensors.
• Only two sensors are needed for an intersection to locate lightning.
This means higher detection efficiency since only two have to see
any event.
• When 3 or more sensor participate, the angle error can be minimized
and a unique solution can be guaranteed.
• Optimization chooses the most likely point for the location.

Principle of Magnetic Direction Finding
1. Lightning makes contact
Sensor 2 with the ground creating a
return stroke.
2. Low Freqency signals

propogate in all directions as
a result of the return stroke
Sensor 1
Sensor 3
3. The Magnetic Cross Loop
Antenna on the sensor 1, 2
and 3 picks up the magnetic
field from the return stroke
and determines the direction
of the source of the magnetic
L12 L13 field
LF
X 4. The Central processor then

triangulates the results from
Optimal Estimate
each sensor creating an
L23 optimal estimate of location of
the lightning

Problems with Magnetic Direction Finding
• When 2 sensors see lightning along the same line, the baseline, it is
possible that a solution cannot be produced.
• An improperly calibrated sensor might introduce large angle errors to
solutions.
• Detects lightning in the low frequency range (LF) so does not see a
majority of the cloud lightning.
• What is the best solution then? Combine the two methods!

Combining CG Lightning Location Methods – Optimal
Solution
DIRECTION FINDING TIME OF ARRIVAL COMBINED DF+TOA
Individual locations L12, L13, The location is based on the Combined MDF + TOA technology
and L23 are triangulated intersection or hyperbolas Location with 5 Sensors
locations for pairs of sensors. produced by arrival-time- ( Least-squared Error Combination
The optimal estimate is differences between pairs of of Arrival-time and Angle )
produced by using the sensors.
direction information from all
reporting sensors.
How do you set up a
lightning network?

The Lightning Detection Network
1 –TS Sensor
2 - Central
Processor
3 - Display

Modularity in the LS Line of Sensors
LS 7000
LS 8000
The LS7000 Sensor – Enhanced Lightning Detection

LF MDF/TOA and the LS7000 Sensor
Sensor :
•Crossed looped magnetic antenna
•Electric field antenna.
Principles :
•Magnetic Direction Finding provided by the ratio of
the B fields in the 2 magnetic loops.
•Time Of Arrival of LF pulses provided by the E field
antenna.
•Waveform identification for high efficiency lightning
type discrimination
Advantages :
High accuracy on CG return strokes through patented
optimized DF & TOA combined processing.
Calibrated lightning strokes parameters thanks to the
Magnetic measurements.
Long range detection
“Survey level” IC detection

•Standard 19 inch rack.

•Included power backup.
•Sealed electronics
enclosure unit to allow
installation in all
environments.
•Electronics modularity for
easy repair and ability to
upgrade sensor.

•The sensor used by almost all other power companies because it

provides detailed, reliable lightning location information in real-time.
•Similar to the previous generation IMPACT ESP sensor and works with
the IMPACT sensors in networks.
•Provides large region coverage.
•Modular so it can be upgraded to the LS8000 sensor.
•Provides scientifically verified performance and validated reliability
through extensive field experience.

Cloud Detection Overview
•As seen again in the next slide, efficient detection of cloud discharges
cannot occur in the low frequency (LF).
•The best way to see these discharges is by looking in another
frequency range, the very high frequency (VHF) range.
•Several methods can be used to locate these discharges including
• VHF Interferometry
• VHF Time of Arrival

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The LS8000 Sensor – Total Lightning Detection
LS8000 Series Sensor Features:

•The only sensor on the market capable of
detecting cloud lightning at a high detection
efficiency as specified by the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO).
•Combines the improved, reengineered SAFIR
and IMPACT sensor technologies
•VHF total lightning detection covering all types
of cloud discharges
•LF lightning detection and all features from the
LS7000.
•Modular design for maintainability and future
updates.
•LS7000 can be upgraded in some or all areas
to LS8000.
The LS8000 Sensor – Total Lightning Detection
•The 5 dipole antenna VHF

interferometry system locates
cloud discharges with a high level
of accuracy.
•The LF antenna from the LS7000
sensor gives detailed cloud to
ground lightning information.
•Combining the two gives a clear
picture of total lightning.

Best Combination of Sensing Technologies for ALL
Thunderstorm Phases

Typical System Configuration
DETECTION
NETWORK Modular Lightning Sensors
LS 7000 - 8000
Communication
Remote support Links with
from Vaisala
networks Neighbouring systems
NETWORK CP 8000
CENTER CP 7000
USERS
TERMINALS

A Sample 5 Sensor CG Network with Detection
Efficiency

Performance Simulation of Cloud Lightning Accuracy

Upgrades and Hybrid Networks
•Pre-existing lightning networks can be easily upgraded to

LS7000 and potentially to LS8000 type sensors.
•The LS7000 is almost a direct drop in replacement for the
previous generation IMPACT sensors or LPATS sensors.
•The LS7000 is completely compatible with the existing
central processor (LP2000). The LS7000 is also compatible
with IMPACT sensor networks meaning that IMPACT
networks can be upgraded in phases.
•The LS8000 can be added in to create a hybrid network. A
hybrid network consists of both VHF LS8000 and LF
LS7000 sensors.

Upgrades and Hybrid Networks
•A hybrid network allows network upgrades in phases that

maximize benefits right away.
•LS8000 total lightning upgrade coverage can start over
large metropolitan areas where the need for detailed
lightning information is more important.
• Safety Concerns and Early Warning
• Anticipation of strong precipitation
•Larger, less populated areas can be covered by LS7000 at
an economical cost and easy site installation.
•The ability to upgrade from LS7000 to LS8000 at the same
site allows you to increase coverage as needed.

Applications of Thunderstorm Information Systems
•But of course the big question is “What benefits or

applications would I get from a thunderstorm information
system?”
•Glad you asked. Now to look at the applications and
benefits for the power industry in some level of detail.

Applications of Vaisala’s
Thunderstorm
Information System to
the Power Utility Industry
Current Examples of Applications of Thunderstorm Systems to Met and Safety

Edward Bardo
Product Manager, Lightning Sensors and Systems-Vaisala Tucson
Electric Power Utility Applications

EPRI, the NLDN, and Power Utilities
•The conversion of research remote sensing lightning detection networks to a

practical tool for the power industry began in the United States when the
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) provided funding to institute a US
national cloud to ground (C-G) lightning network starting in June 1983. The
national lightning network covered the US by the end of 1988.
•EPRI members were initially provided a data feed and a real-time display that
showed lightning as it occurred in the US. The system operated in the DOS
environment.
•In 1993 EPRI contracted Global Atmospherics to develop tools that could be
used by the electric utility industry to analyze forensic lightning data.
•This resulted in the development of the Fault Analysis Lightning Location
System (FALLS) which is the most common software used in the United States
by electric utilities to analyze lightning data.

EPRI, the NLDN, and Power Utilities
•Due to the overwhelming positive response from the electric utility

industry, EPRI was involved in several other projects with the NLDN
including research to improve location accuracy and detection efficiency
of the network. This resulted in a major upgrade to the NLDN completed
in 1995.
•Subsequent stroke information was first provided to the power utilities
in January 1995 in the US.
•As the electric power market became competitive in the US, the need
to market clean power arose. The FALLS application is used by almost
every major power utility in the US to analyze C-G lightning and its
impact on their operations.
•The use of FALLS and C-G networks for power utility expands outside
of the US. The value of this type of lightning network and applications is
the reason many power utilities purchase national lightning networks.

Lightning Detection and Lightning Data
•Lightning occurs as a natural event from thunderstorm clouds. It occurs

as cloud to ground lightning (CG) and cloud to cloud lightning (CC).
•Cloud to ground lightning can be detected from a long distance away
by a series of Vaisala sensors that receive the signal up to 600
kilometers away! These types of networks can economically cover a
country and provide continuous information and warning of severe
weather.
•Vaisala systems can provide real-time locations in less than 30
seconds from when these CG events occur.
•Lightning information can be used in both real-time displays or
archived for analysis with more detailed software packages.
•Many countries in the world have lightning networks with the largest
being in the United States and Canada.

CURRENT NETWORK OWNERS
Who is Using Thunderstorm Information Systems in
(Partial List)
the Electric Power Industry?
E L E C T R I C P O W E R A N D T E L E C O M M U N I C A T IO N S U T I L IT I E S
V e r b u n d g e s e l l s c h a f t ( A L D I S ) … .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . V i e n n a , A u s t r i a
C o m p a n h i a E n e r g é t i c a d e M i n a G e r a i s ( C E M IG ) . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . B e l o H o r i z o n t e , B r a z i l
F u r n a s C e n t r a is E lé t r i c a s , S . A . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . R i o D e J a n e i r o , B r a z i l
H y d r o Q u e b e c . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . M o n t r e a l , C a n a d a
O n t a r io H y d r o .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . T o r o n t o , C a n a d a
I n t e r c o n e x i o n E l e c t r i c a , S . A . ( I S A ) . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. M e d e l l i n , C o l o m b i a
E m p r e s a s P u b l i c a s d e M e d e l l i n ( E E P P M ) . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. M e d e l l i n , C o l o m b i a
I C E . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . S a n J o s e , C o s t a R i c a
C h i n a L i g h t a n d P o w e r C o m p a n y . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . K o w l o o n , H o n g K o n g
I s r a e l E l e c t r i c C o r p ( I E C ) . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . H a i f a , I s r a e l
C e n t r o E l e t t r o t e c n i c o S p e r i m e n t a l e I t a l i a n o ( C E S I ) E N E L . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . M i l a n , I t a l y
C h u b u E l e c t r i c P o w e r C o m p a n y . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . N a g o y a , J a p a n
C h u g o k u E l e c t r i c P o w e r C o m p a n y . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . H i r o s h i m a , J a p a n
H o k k a i d o E l e c t r i c P o w e r C o m p a n y . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . S a p p o r o , J a p a n
H o k u r i k u E l e c t r i c P o w e r C o m p a n y . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . T o y a m a , J a p a n
K y u s h u E l e c t r i c P o w e r C o m p a n y . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . F u k u o k a , J a p a n
K a n s a i E le c t r i c P o w e r C o m p a n y . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . O s a k a , J a p a n
S h i k o k u E l e c t r i c P o w e r C o m p a n y . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . T a k a m a t s u , J a p a n
T o h o k u E l e c t r i c P o w e r C o m p a n y . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . S e n d a i , J a p a n
T o k y o E l e c t r i c P o w e r C o m p a n y .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. T o k y o , J a p a n
T e n a g a N a s i o n a l B e r h a d . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . S e l a n g o r D a r u l E h s a n , M a l a y s i a
T r a n s p o w e r L i m i t e d .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. W e l l in g t o n , N e w Z e a la n d
S t a t n e t t S F . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . O s l o , N o r w a y
P u e r t o R i c o E l e c t r i c P o w e r A u t h o r i t y ( P R E P A ) . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . S a n J u a n , P u e r t o R i c o
E S K O M .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . S o u t h A f r i c a
K o r e a E l e c t r i c P o w e r C o m p a n y .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . S e o u l , S . K o r e a
S V E N S K A K r a f t n ä t . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . V ä l l i n g b y , S w e d e n
T a i P o w e r . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . T a i p e i , T a i w a n
E l e c t r i c G e n e r a t i n g A u t h o r i t y o f T h a i l a n d . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . B a n g k o k , T h a i la n d
N i a g a r a M o h a w k P o w e r C o r p . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . S y r a c u s e , U S A
E D E L C A . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . C a r a c a s , V e n e z u e l a

But Why Use Lightning Information?
•Lightning is one of the most common reasons for power interruption.

Lightning causes outages or seriously reduces the quality of power
delivered to customers.
•Lightning is a serious safety concern for crews working in the field on
power lines or substations.
•Lightning caused problems can be controlled ONLY if they are
analyzed and understood.
•New geographic based tools make it very easy to analyze how
lightning is affecting power systems.
•As computer systems and delicate technology continue to become
more common, delivering quality power is essential.

Common Applications of Lightning Information
• Prioritize Regions for Improvement

• Identify Geographical Trends
• Site Facilities: Low Exposure Areas

• Verify Historical Trends
• Employ Exposure/Reliability Based

• Quantify Lightning Stress on Power Preventative Maintenance
Lines
• Assess Asset Design Standards

• Evaluate Asset Performance Relative • Validate Completed Upgrades
to Individual Strokes
• Quickly Dispatch Crew to Fault

• Correlate Individual Strokes with Location
Time of Fault

Real-time Applications
•Real-time data arrives to a display within 30 seconds of the C-G event.

•Lightning information provides a power utility real-time meteorological
information to see when severe storms develop over a large area. Lightning
networks are capable of seeing storms a long distance outside of the network
boundaries.
•Real-time data is used for safety. The ability to see when severe storms are
coming allows work crews to clear out of danger areas before storms arrive.
Warning areas can be setup on displays to alarm when lightning occurs within a
specific user defined region.
•Real-time data allows for the planning of resources by being able to predict
where storm damage is likely to occur.
•A national network allows a user to see severe weather develop anywhere
within the country as it develops and even see storms outside of the network as
they approach you.
•Real-time data can be used for verification of lightning caused faults and
customer outage complaints.

Real time Prediction – Where Are Storms Going?

A Real-time Display

Real-time Warning Applications
•Real-time systems offer the capability to alarm users anytime lightning

comes into a predefined area.
•The alarm can be an audio alarm or an email sent to any address. It
could also be a short message sent to a pager or cell phone. You can
be anywhere and receive a warning that lightning is a danger to an area
you have defined.
•Imagine defining an alarm around a major transmission line for a
customer so that when lightning is within 10 kilometers of the
transmission line, the customer is warned and can switch to internal
generation.
•Any number of custom alarm regions can be defined with each alarm
activating its own warning.
•This can be a value added service for important customers.

Lightning Tracking System/ LTS2005
Cumulated Total
lightning Density
mapping
Thunderstorm cells
Nowcasting & Automatic Warning
Thunderstorm
cells
Monitoring &
Tracking
Thunderstorm Cell Identification and Tracking:
Lightning Data Helps Identify Thunderstorms Located in Radar Beam Blockage Areas
Thunderstorms
identified by LF
CG lightning
detection
network in radar
beam blockage
area

Historical Applications
•Lightning collected over time provides a method for doing historical

analysis and trend analysis.
•The FALLS software developed by Vaisala for the power utility industry
provides many tools for analyzing data in near real-time to extensive
historical analysis.
•FALLS is used by almost every major power utility in the United States
including Southern Company, Entergy, National Grid, Commonwealth
Edison, and more.
•FALLS uses Geographic Information Systems to allow you to
incorporate your maps into the software.
•Since FALLS automates or incorporates many of the needs as defined
by the power utilities, many examples of applications will be shown
through FALLS.

Layering other
Data Sets
Topographic Data
Many layers can

overlay and be
queried

& ) *+
,- .
& /
+
0 % %
&
+

KCP&L Strike Density 1993

KCP&L Strike Density 1994

Lightning Flash Density - 1992



Data Visualization – Standard Density Grid

Data Visualization – Smoothed Density

Data Visualization – 3D Density Map

FALLS – Exposure Analysis
•How can you determine line or substation performance against

lightning if you don’t know how much lightning there was around the
line/substation that year?
•An area of exposure is defined and all lightning around a ground based
asset is analyzed and plotted.
•Exposure analysis shows all lightning around a power line or
substation and provides detailed statistics of what is really happening
around your assets. This includes lightning counts, average strength of
lightning, time, location, etc.
•Allows you to compare the amount of lightning that is near your lines
from year to year. You can define what the 90 percentile lightning strike
is around this line using real data. Great for design purposes.


Exposure Analysis – Annual Line Exposure

Primary Goal - Improve Reliability
To reduce lightning-caused interruptions:
• Verify the problem as lightning caused
• Quantify the problem before you spend
• Justify recommendations and expenditures for “surgical” upgrades
• Evaluate improved performance relative to lightning

FALLS – Reliability Analysis
•Detailed analysis that allows correlation of lightning with lightning

caused problems such as outages or interruptions.
•Helps locate where a lightning caused outage may have caused
damage to your system.
•Detailed enough to point to specific towers on a transmission line
system.
•Reduces time in finding problems caused by lightning. Reduces overall
maintenance and potential need for helicopter flyovers.
•Can do multi- year analysis to spot trouble spots on a line. Helps locate
grounding and lightning protection issues.

FALLS - Reliability Analysis

Reliability Analysis
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Over 60 occurrences of strokes detected
in 20 to 25 kA (-) range
2 occurrences of strokes detected

in 70 to 75 kA (-) range

Summary of Electric Utility Applications
• Prioritize Regions for Improvement

• Identify Geographical Trends
• Site Facilities: Low Exposure Areas

• Verify Historical Trends
• Employ Exposure/Reliability Based

• Quantify Lightning Stress on Power Preventative Maintenance
Lines
• Assess Asset Design Standards

• Evaluate Asset Performance Relative • Validate Completed Upgrades
to Individual Strokes
• Quickly Dispatch Crew to Fault

• Correlate Individual Strokes with Location
Time of Fault

Lightning and Power – Where Do You Stand?
•Remember, you can’t understand something completely until you

quantify and measure it.
•Lightning is something that can be analyzed and controlled by having
the proper information.
•Only Vaisala networks can give you the accurate and reliable
information, you need to improve.
•Thank you for your time.

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Thunderstorm

Applications of Thunderstorm Information Systems to the Power Industry

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Vaisala equipment is installed and operating in 42 countries

20 of the 25 largest meteorological agencies have a national

8 of the 10 largest power companies use lightning information.

ALL with Vaisala technology

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Vaisala TS Lightning Location Networks are in

• Leading Technology - Technological advancement is an integral

• Reliability - Equipment reliability will be the foundation of customer

• Support - We will judge the quality of our customer relationships at

• Experience – Vaisala’s experience in lightning detection doesn’t just

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•C-G lightning is typically detected in the LF range.

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3. The equal time difference

4. The equal time difference

Sensor 2 5. The equal time difference

6. The intersection of three or

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2. Low Freqency signals

X 4. The Central processor then

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• What is the best solution then? Combine the two methods!

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DIRECTION FINDING TIME OF ARRIVAL COMBINED DF+TOA

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•Standard 19 inch rack.

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•The sensor used by almost all other power companies because it

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LS8000 Series Sensor Features:

•The 5 dipole antenna VHF

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•Pre-existing lightning networks can be easily upgraded to

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•A hybrid network allows network upgrades in phases that

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•But of course the big question is “What benefits or

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Current Examples of Applications of Thunderstorm Systems to Met and Safety

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•The conversion of research remote sensing lightning detection networks to a

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•Due to the overwhelming positive response from the electric utility

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