Simulating Geomagnetically Induced
Currents (GICs) in the Irish Power
Network
Sean Blake, Peter Gallagher, Joe McCauley
Trinity College Dublin
Alan G. Jones, Colin Hogg
Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
Ciaran Beggan, Alan Thompson
British Geological Survey
Sarah Walsh
Eirgrid
Space Weather Effects
Pipeline
Corrosion
Aurorae
Radio
GICs
GPS
Satellite
Damage
Polar
Radiation
Geomagnetically Induced Currents
Solar Activity (CMEs)
Changing Terrestrial B-Field
Induced Electric Field at Surface
Induced Currents
Transformer Damage
Geomagnetically Induced Currents
Solar Activity (CMEs)
Changing Terrestrial B-Field
Induced Electric Field at Surface
Induced Currents
Transformer Damage
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/news/curiosity-cme.html
Geomagnetically Induced Currents
Solar Activity (CMEs)
Changing Terrestrial B-Field
Induced Electric Field at Surface
Induced Currents
Transformer Damage
www.rosseobservatory.ie
Poster 8.05 – Gallagher et al.
Geomagnetically Induced Currents
Solar Activity (CMEs)
Changing Terrestrial B-Field
B
Induced Electric Field at Surface
A
Induced Currents
Transformer Damage
Faraday's Law:
Geomagnetically Induced Currents
Solar Activity (CMEs)
Direction of Current
Changing Terrestrial B-Field
Induced Electric Field at Surface
High Voltage Wires
Transformer
Transformer
Induced Currents
A
Transformer Damage
Resistive Rock
B
Geomagnetically Induced Currents
Elevated Level
Solar Activity (CMEs)
Changing Terrestrial B-Field
Magnetic Flux
Saturation Point
0
Normal
Induced Electric Field at Surface
Induced Currents
Hydro-Quebec
Transformer,
1989
Transformer Damage
1859 Carrington Event
Interaction between two telegraph operators:
Boston- Please cut off your battery entirely from the line for
fifteen minutes.
Portland- Will do so. It is now disconnected.
Boston- Mine is disconnected, and we are working with the
auroral current. How do you receive my writing?
Portland- Better than with our batteries on...
...
Boston- Suppose we work without batteries while we are
affected by this trouble.
Portland- Very well. Shall I go ahead with business?
Boston- Yes. Go ahead
The Daily Chronicle and Sentinel, Augusta, Georgia,
Thursday AM, September 8, 1859
Carrington's sketch of sunspots which
preceded geomag storm
September 1st, 1859
Scales of Storms
●
2003 storm – Dst: -400 nT
●
1989 storm – Dst: -600 nT
INSERT PIC OF CME HERE
●
●
1859 storm – Dst: -850 nT (recent estimate)
Siscoe et al., 2006
2012 CME – Dst: -1182 nT (estimated)
Baker et al. 2013
The 'near-miss' 2012 CME of July 2012
Mitigation
Expensive Solutions:
●
Capacitor banks at transformers
●
Custom Transformers
●
Un-Earth network
Low-Cost Solution:
●
Constant Monitoring + Simulation
●
“Open” the network
●
Turn off vulnerable transformers
BGS Electric
Field
Simulation
Simulating GICs
Geomagnetic Field
Conductance Map
Electric Field
Power Grid
GICs
Simulating GICs
Geomagnetic Field
Conductance Map
Electric Field
Power Grid
Spherical Elementary Current Systems
McLay, S. a., & Beggan, C. D. (2010)
GICs
Simulating GICs
Location of DIAS
Magnetotelluric
Sites
Geomagnetic Field
Conductance Map
Electric Field
Power Grid
MT Equipment
GICs
Simulating GICs
Geomagnetic Field
Conductance Map
Electric Field
Power Grid
GICs
Simulating GICs
EM Waves
Geomagnetic Field
Conductance Map
Layered Earth
Electric Field
Power Grid
GICs
Vasseur & Weidelt, 1977
Simulating GICs
Geomagnetic Field
Conductance Map
Electric Field
Power Grid
GICs
Simulating GICs
Geomagnetic Field
Eirgrid
Transmission Map
Conductance Map
Electric Field
Power Grid
GICs
400 kv
275 kv
220 kv
Verification
How can this simulation be verified?
1) Measuring GIC's directly at transformers
2) Examine the gases at transformers
Hall Effect Probe
Conclusion
So Far:
1)
Added Rosse Observatory to Ireland's capacity to monitor space weather
and its effects.
2)
Begun the first simulations of GICs in Ireland with a detailed conductance
map.
Future Goals:
1)
Verify and refine simulation
2)
Add it to a comprehensive space weather package for Ireland