Impact of Geo-magnetically Induced Current (GIC) on Electrical Power System

Smita Tiwari
Smitarivnd79@gmail.com
Sam Global University Bhopal

Abstract— Geo-magnetically 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
power systems are the most affected by this induced current. The geoelectric field at the Earth's surface is
mainly influenced by currents in the magnetosphere and ionosphere, and secondly by currents and charges
produced in the ground. These currents cause fluctuations in the geomagnetic field, which in turn affects the
geoelectric field. In This paper we study the measurement of Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs) in
Hokkaido power grid of Japan transformer. To provide accurate GIC data with little interference, a Hall effect
sensor was installed near the neutral of the Hokkaido power grid of Japan transformer. The present paper
conclude that the geomagnetic storms that occurred in solar cycle 23 were stronger than those that occurred in
solar cycle 24.

Keywords: Geomagnetically induced current (GIC), Geoelectric field, Geomagnetic field

Introduction

Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GIC) refers to electrical currents that are induced in the Earth's
surface as a result of space weather phenomenon. Ground-based technological structures positioned at high
latitudes have extensively observed and researched the GIC (Geomagnetically Induced Currents) after the
Carrington event that took place on 1-2 September 1859. In March 1989, a notable geomagnetic storm caused
a disruption in the whole Canadian Hydro-Québec power system, lasting for many hours. Although there have
been strong and extreme space weather occurrences at low latitudes in recent decades, the impacts of
Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs) in mid-to-low latitudes is shown in the figure . Measurements of
Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GIC) magnitudes during various stages of geomagnetic storms indicate
that power networks situated at low and medium latitudes may experience GIC levels comparable to those
recorded at high latitudes. Previous results provide GIC recordings at around 15 A in a Brazilian power
network during 2004, which have also been subsequently replicated by calculations. The duration of these
GIC incidents was around 5 hours, occurring between November 7th and November 9th, 2004. Previous study
documented around 15 occurrences of geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in Japan between 2007 and
2009. According to previous results, a transformer in New Zealand had a breakdown after a sudden impulse
on November 6, 2001. Researcher report that GIC values of 47.2 A and 75.5 A in China during the
geomagnetic storms that occurred on 7–9 November 2004, respectively. In addition, study in the year 2007
and 2005 confirm a number of transformer malfunctions attributed to the high intensity due to
Geomagnetically Induced Current (GIC) in South Africa during the 'Halloween storm' that occurred from 29
to 31 October 2003. As a result, significant magnitudes of Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs) may be
detected in both high and low-latitude locations. Power networks and other ground-based technical
infrastructures are susceptible to Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GIC) independent of their geographical
location. In nations with vast territory, the length of power networks is increasing, which leads to higher GIC
values. It is
 Fig1 Geomagnetic Induced Current Generation

important to emphasize that the susceptibility of a power system to GIC (geomagnetically induced currents) is
influenced by several technical factors, such as the specific kinds of transformers used. Therefore, certain GIC
magnitudes may have no significant impact on one electricity network but might have devastating
consequences in another. This study provides an examination of the Geomagnetically Induced Current (GIC)
data collected from the neutral of the 500 kV transformers at the Hokkaido power grid of Japan substation in
central Brazil, specifically during solar cycle 24. The GIC data collected during geomagnetic storms with a
disturbance storm time (Dst) index ranging from 150 to 50 nanoteslas (nT) are being compared to GIC values
derived from computations. The comparison of these data is used to verify the computation approach, which
includes the power network model. After successful validation, the Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GIC)
are computed for the power system, taking into account geomagnetic storms (Dst < 100) that occurred during
solar cycle 24. Ultimately, a statistical analysis is conducted by applying a Tsallis distribution to the
Normalized Inverse Cumulative Frequency (NICF) of GIC data.

Data and Methods

Measurements of GIC

The GIC measurements were collected in the neutral of the Hokkaido power grid of Japan 500 kV
transformer. Figure displays the electricity network along with geomagnetic induced current and magnetic
field from electrojet.. There are no capacitors connected in series in the transmission lines, and the ground in
that area has a high resistance. Due to the installation of additional transmission lines in 2006, the network's
layout differed from that in 2014. In previous research results have been provided the information about the
network prior to 2006. To provide accurate GIC data with little interference, a Hall effect sensor was installed
near the neutral of the Hokkaido power grid of Japan transformer. The sensor package was particularly
engineered to achieve precise mechanical alignment with the neutral lead. The Hall sensors were arranged in
pairs, enabling a separation distance of 1 mm from the lead. The GIC data was sampled at a rate of six
samples per minute and collected continuously from Jan 2016 to Dec 2016, with the exception of certain
maintenance intervals. A temperature fluctuation is observed on a
 Fig 2 Electric Network along with Geomangetic Induced Current (GIC)

daily basis. The GIC data were collected from geomagnetic storms that were recognized using the Dst
definition of geomagnetic storms. This research focuses only on analyzing the storms that generated
geomagnetically induced current (GIC) amplitudes above 4A.

The calculation of Geomagnetically Induced Current (GIC) in a power network is performed using Kirchhoff's
principles. There are two primary methods that may be employed,

1) The mesh impedance matrix technique

The formerly describing the network as a mesh of loops and taking into account the voltage sources connected
in series with the resistances in the transmission lines. The second way considers the network as a collection
of nodes that are connected to the ground by earthing admittances. This technique assumes that the
corresponding current sources are positioned in parallel with the admittances of the transmission lines that link
the nodes. The Lehtinen-Pirjola (LP) approach, which developed apart from load-flow calculation methods, it
is a modified version of the nodal admittance method. Due to the lengthy computation periods associated with
the mesh impedance matrix approach, the nodal admittance matrix method and the corresponding LP method
are favored in practical GIC calculations. For this study, it is selected that the LP approach because of its
extensive use, particularly within the geophysical field. The use of the LP approach requires prior knowledge
of the geoelectric field that impacts of the power network. Hence, the calculation of the GIC involves the
following two phases, initially ascertain the geoelectric field linked to the changes in the Earth's magnetic
field. Next, the LP approach by using the geoelectric field. Geomagcomponents of the geomagnetic field in
the eastward and northward directions are denoted as By and Bx, respectively.
Result

Fig 4 Geomagnetic Induced Current(GIC A) on 18 June 2016

Fig 6 Geomagnetic Induced Current(GIC A) on 4 Dec 2016

Fig 7 Dst Index in the month of June 2016

The findings are shown in the figure 4 showing data from 18 June 2016, fig.5 showing data from 8
October 2016, and figure 6 showing data from 4 Dec 2016. the curves exhibit a similar pattern even when the
GIC values are lower. Therefore, there is a strong correlation between the computations and measurements
over the majority of the GIC dataset. The minor inconsistencies seen at lower GIC amplitudes might be
attributed to localized ionospheric instabilities that occur in the area of equatorial latitudes, where Hokkaido
power grid of Japan and Vassouras are situated. Therefore, by comparing the estimated and observed GIC
data, it may determine the GIC at Hokkaido power grid of Japan even during times when measurements are
not available. The frequency distribution of geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) at the Hokkaido power
grid of Japan 500 kV transformer during solar cycle 23 is analyzed. Specifically, GIC values are calculated for
large magnetic storms (Dst < 100 nT) that occurred on the day when the Dst reached its minimum value, as
well as for the previous and following days. In total events are considered in the figure displays the lowest Dst
value, which serves as a metric for the storm's strength, together with the daily maximum values of computed
GIC amplitude at Hokkaido power grid of Japan during solar cycle 24. The time of occurrence for the Dst
peak and the maximum GIC amplitudes may not be the same. It is evident that most storms had a Dst peak
ranging from 100 nT to 200 nT, and the GIC values were within the range of 5 to 15 A. During the 'Halloween
storm' in 2003, the GIC recorded at Hokkaido power grid of Japan substation reached around 30 Amperes,
and the associated peak Dst was 401 nanoTesla. In the fig. also displays the amount of Geomagnetically
Induced Currents (GICs) achieved during geomagnetic storms of varying strengths. Nevertheless, it is
important to note that the GIC level attained during a geomagnetic storm is influenced by other
magnetospheric sources. The origins may consist of magnetopause currents (associated with abrupt impulses),
pulsations (caused by instabilities in the magnetospheric plasma), variations in ionospheric solar quiet currents
(seen during ionospheric storms and substorms), and a disrupted dynamo. Certain occurrences are
inadequately characterized by the Dst index. In the figure provides an illustrative illustration of their
contributions. There are two storms, with Dst values less than 400 nT, each associated with a distinct GIC
value: 30A and 15A, respectively. The significant disparity might be attributed to the process of
electromagnetic induction. Given that GICs are generated by regional ionospheric current systems and the Dst
index serves as a global indicator of geomagnetic field disruption, the local perturbation of the ground
magnetic field will vary depending on the timing of storms entering the main phase at various local times.
when geoelectric frequency is small or intermediate, there is a noticeable difference between the fitted values
and the actual data. Since the power law distribution is a specific instance of Tsallis distributions, we
examined whether a category of Tsallis distributions is capable of accurately fitting the full range. Figure 5
displays the frequency distribution of GIC (Geomagnetically Induced Current) estimated for each
geomagnetic storm that occurred during solar cycle 23. The GIC values vary from 1 A to 30 A. The
boundaries of the GIC magnitudes used in the statistical analysis are determined by the attributes of the
sample being examined. The lower limit corresponds to the minimal values of GIC (Geomagnetically Induced
Currents) reported during periods of geomagnetic field activity. Conversely, the GIC statistical research was
limited to a maximum of 10 A. The GIC dataset consists of 270,658 variables, out of which only 219 values
surpass 10 A. These values account for less than 0.1% of the whole GIC dataset. This indicates that values
over ~103 in the range decrease the normalized inverse cumulative frequency (NICF). This number is the GIC
intensity at which the frequency data is reduced by a factor of one thousand compared to the whole dataset.
The NICF distribution is determined by counting the number of GIC values that exceed a certain GIC bin
threshold. The data is grouped into intervals of 0.1 A. Given that about 99.5% of the computed GIC
amplitudes are below 10 A, we designate this value as the threshold for the statistically significant dataset for
the NICF. Under these circumstances, we confirm that the most suitable model for the NICF is the q-
exponential Tsallis distribution with parameters q = 1.25, B = 1.77 A1, and C = 1.18. This choice minimizes
the v2 value and yields a correlation coefficient of R2 = 0.999. These findings indicate that GIC
(geomagnetically induced currents) are physical events that may be explained using the principles of extended
statistical mechanics.

Conclusion

In this work, it examine that the GIC measurements made in the neutral of a high-voltage transformer
at the Hokkaido power grid of Japan substation, located in mid-latitude japan, between 2017 and 2018 .
Geomagnetic storms produced geomagnetically induced current (GIC) amplitudes exceeding 4 A throughout
the course of these five years. For these instances, we use the Lehtinen-Pirjola approach to find the GIC. The
geoelectric field may be computed in two different methods. At the outset, the geomagnetic field is considered
to be homogenous and similar to the field data collected at the magnetic observatory at Vassouras, about 700
kilometers distant from Hokkaido power grid of Japan. In the second case, the geomagnetic field at the
Hokkaido power grid of Japan substation is interpolated using the 'Spherical Elementary Current Systems'
technique. Consequently, at times when the GIC records are not operational, we may get the GIC data at
Hokkaido power grid of Japan (as well as for the whole high-voltage power network) by computing for solar
cycle 23. It is observed that the geomagnetic storms that occurred in solar cycle 23 were stronger than those
that occurred in solar cycle 24. Based on estimations, during the most severe event, which took place during
the 'Halloween storm' that occurred from October 29 to October 31, 2003, the Geomagnetically Induced
Current (GIC) may have reached up to 30 Amperes. Based on the calculated GIC data, a statistical distribution
is applied to the NICF of GIC incidence at Hokkaido power grid of Japan. With a high correlation value of
0.999, the research showed that a q-exponential class of the Tsallis statistical function adequately described
about 99% of the data in the range of 1 A to 10 A. This result has implications for understanding the physical
mechanisms behind the formation of GIC. These implications suggest that long-range spatial correlation and
memory effect are features of non-equilibrium magnetospheric current systems, which give rise to
geomagnetically induced currents (GICs). In this specific context, a state that is not in equilibrium is one in
which even a little perturbation to the system may result in a significant Geomagnetically Induced Current
(GIC) effect. Spatial long-range correlation indicates a strong relationship between the many elements of the
Sun-Earth system and how they affect the surface of the planet.

References :-

1. Bolduc, L., GIC observations and studies in the Hydro-Québec power system. J. Atmos. Sol. Terr.
Phys., 64(16), 1793–1802, 2002.
2. Boteler, D. H. (2001), Space weather effects on power systems, in Space Weather, Geophys. Monogr.
Ser., vol. 125, edited by P. Song, H. Singer, and G. Siscoe, pp. 347--352, AGU, Washington, D. C.
3. Boteler, D. H., R. M. Shier, T. Watanabe, and R. E. Horita (1989), Effects of geomagnetically induced
currents in the B.C. Hydro 500 kV system, IEEE Trans. Power Delivery, 4, 818--823,
doi:10.1109/61.19275.
4. Boteler, D. H., R. J. Pirola, and H. Nenanlinna (1998), The effects of geomagnetic disturbances on
electrical systems at the Earth’s surface, Adv. Space Res., 22(1), 17--27, doi:10.1016/S0273-1177
(97)01096-X.
5. Cliver, E. W., Y. Kamide, and A. G. Ling (2000), Mountains versus valleys: Semiannual variation of
geomagnetic activity, J. Geophys. Res., 105(A2), 2413--2424, doi:10.1029/1999JA900439.
6. Crooker, N. U., E. W. Cliver, and B. T. Tsurutani (1992), The semi annual variation of great
geomagnetic storms and the postshock Russell-McPherron effect preceding coronal mass ejecta,
Geophys. Res. Lett., 19, 429--432, doi:10.1029/92GL00377.
7. Hughes, W. J. (1994), Magnetospheric ULF waves: A tutorial with ahistorical perspective, inSolar
Wind Sources of Magnetospheric Ultra-Low-Frequency Waves, Geophys. Monogr. Ser., vol. 81,
edited by M. J. Engebretson, K. Takahashi, and M. Scholer, pp. 1--11, AGU, Washington, D. C.
8. Isobe, H., et al. (2007), Flare ribbons observed with G-band and Fe I 6302A Filters of the solar optical
telescope on board Hinode, Publ. Astron. Soc. Jpn., 59, S807--S813.
9. Kappenman, J. G. (1989), Effects of geomagnetic disturbances on power systems, IEEE Power Eng.
Rev., 9(10), 15--20.
10. Kappenman, J. G. (2000), An introduction to power grid impacts and vulnerabilities from space
weather, in Space Storms and Space Weather Hazards, edited by I. A. Daglis, pp. 335--361, Kluwer
Acad., Dordrecht, Netherlands.
11. Kappenman, J. G. (2001), Advanced geomagnetic storm forecasting for the electric power industry, in
Space Weather, Geophys. Monogr. Ser., vol. 125, edited by P. Song, H. Singer, and G. Siscoe, pp.
353- 358, AGU, Washington, D. C.
12. Kappenman, J. G. (2003), Storm sudden commencement events and the associated geomagnetically
induced current risks to ground based systems at low-latitude and midlatitude locations, Space
Weather, 1(3), 1016, doi:10.1029/2003SW000009.
13. Kappenman, J. G. (2004), Space weather and the vulnerability of electric power grids, in Effects of
Space Weather on Technology Infrastructure, edited by I. A. Daglis, pp. 257--299, Kluwer Acad.,
Dordrecht, Netherlands.
14. Kikuchi, T., T. Araki, H. Maeda, and K. Maekawa (1978), Transmission of polar electric fields to the
Equator, Nature, 273(5664), 650--651, doi:10.1038/273650a0.
15. Lanzerotti, L. J. (2001), Space weather effects on technologies, in Space Weather, Geophys. Monogr.
Ser., vol. 125, edited by P. Song, H. Singer, and G. Siscoe, pp. 11--22, AGU, Washington, D. C.
16. Motoba, T., T. Kikuchi, H. Luhr, H. Tachihara, T.-I. Kitamura,
K.Hayashi,andT.Okuzawa(2002),GlobalPc5causedbyaDP2-type ionosphere current system, J.
Geophys. Res., 107(A2), 1032, doi:10.1029/2001JA900156.
17. Owada, S. (1972), On the subterranean electric conductivity near Memanbetsu detected by the
magneto-telluric method (in Japanese with English abstract), Mem. Kakioka Magn. Obs., 14(2), 77--
85.
18. Parkinson, W. D. (1959), Directions of rapid geomagnetic fluctuations, Geophys. J. R. Astron. Soc.,
2(1), 1—14.
19. Russell, C. T., and R. L. McPherron (1973), Semiannual variation of geomagnetic activity, J. Geophys.
Res., 78(1), 92--108, doi:10.1029/ JA078i001p00092.
20. Thomson, A. W. P., A. J. McKay, E. Clarke, and S. J. Reay, Surface electric fields and
geomagnetically induced currents in the Scottish Power grid during the 30 October 2003 geomagnetic
storm, AGU Space Weather, 3, S11002, doi:10.1029/2005SW000156, 2005.
21. Trichenko, L., and D. V. Boteler (2006), Response of power systems t to the temporal characteristics
of geomagnetic storms, paper presented at Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer
Engineering, pp. 390--393, IEEE, Ottawa, Ont., Canada.

22. EQUATORIAL ANALYSIS OF SPACE WEATHER ANALYSIS OF EARTH MAGNETIOSPHERE

23.