The sun is constantly emitting electrons and ions as magnetized plasma, forming the solar wind and carrying with it the sun’s rotating magnetic field. The solar wind subsequently interacts with Earth’s magnetosphere and the magnetospheres of other planets. Occasionally large amounts of magnetized plasma are released at one time in a Corona mass ejection (CME). When the CME interacts with Earth’s magnetic field, it induces perturbations that may have a significant impact on critical infrastructure, for instance, by disturbing communication systems, and inducing currents on pipelines and electric power lines, which in turn may cause increased corrosion or blackouts, among other effects. In this dissertation, we analyze measured electrical signals provided to us by the Finnish Meteorological Institute, which were induced by geomagnetic storms on pipelines located in Finland and recorded in 2003. Specifically, we perform a wavelet leader multifractal analysis of these current signals to generate singularity spectra, and then using the bootstrapping technique, we apply statistical tests to show that these signals exhibit multifractal characteristics. We also performed surrogate testing to show that these characteristics were unique to the signal. / Ph.D. / Earth’s weather affects all of us every day. The solar space environment has weather of its own that affects us as well. Storms of a size that far exceed anything on Earth can impact Earth and affect our infrastructure. One of the most powerful phenomena that occur, called solar corona mass ejections, results when the sun ejects a large amount of plasma. This can interact with the Earth’s magnetic field, which in turn induces perturbations that may have a significant impact on critical infrastructure, for instance, by disturbing communication systems, and inducing currents on pipelines and electric power lines. The currents can cause increased corrosion or blackouts, among other effects. In this dissertation, we analyze measured electrical signals provided to us by the Finnish Meteorological Institute, which were induced by geomagnetic storms on pipelines located in Finland and recorded in 2003. Specifically, we perform a statistical analysis of these current signals to decide whether they exhibit multifractal characteristics.

This thesis investigates geo-electric fields in the United Kingdom with particular regard to Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GIC) in the Scottish Power electricity transmission network (SPTN). The joint spectral characteristics of Scottish Power GIC and Eskdalemuir magnetic observatory data are analysed, and GIC are shown to be coherent with magnetic field variations over the period range 2-1100s. A bi-variate transfer function model of the physical link between magnetic field variations and GIC demonstrates that long-period (>200s) induction makes a first order contribution to the observed GIC at one SPTN site, and dominates the response at another. Thin-sheet modelling at a period of 750s is used to explore the relative influence of three factors on the size and spatial distribution of the calculated electric field: (i) the contrast in conductance between the sea and the land; (ii) variations in conductance due to sea depth; (iii) lateral variations in conductance representative of those in the geographic area occupied by the SPTN. The modelling suggests that a `coast-only' model (i) will over-predict electric field magnitudes in the SPTN region by a factor of 2-5 in comparison with model (iii). Distortion analysis of Magnetotelluric (MT) data at a period of 750s acquired over numerous field campaigns reveal pervasive galvanic distortion of the electric field in the SPTN region. GIC transfer functions of one site are consistently interpreted as proxy MT responses, and it is shown that galvanic distortion of the electric field modifies significantly the GIC amplitude response. A prototype model of the SPTN developed by the British Geological Survey and the Finnish Meteorological Institute is used to calculate GIC. It is shown that neglect of lateral variations of conductivity may lead to false conclusions about the direction of the external electric field that maximises GIC. Time derivatives of the Eskdalemuir horizontal magnetic field are used as an index of GIC activity, and to select events which may have led to large GIC in the time period (1983-2000) prior to the monitoring of GIC by Scottish Power. Backwards-prediction using the GIC transfer functions and observatory magnetic data suggests that GIC at the Scottish Power monitoring sites have amplitudes less than approximately 30A.

Power transformers are a key element in the transmission and distribution of electrical energy and as such need to be highly reliable and efficient. In power system networks, transformer core saturation can cause system voltage disturbances or transformer damage or accelerate insulation ageing. Low frequency switching transients such as ferroresonance and inrush currents, and increasingly what is now known as geomagnetic induce currents (GIC), are the most common phenomena to cause transformer core saturation. This thesis describes extensive simulation studies carried out on GIC and switching ferroresonant transient phenomena. Two types of transformer model were developed to study core saturation problems; one is the mathematical transformer magnetic circuit model, and the other the ATPDraw transformer model. Using the mathematical transformer magnetic circuit model, the influence of the transformer core structure on the magnetising current has been successfully identified and so have the transformers' responses to GIC events. By using the ATPDraw transformer model, the AC system network behaviours under the influence of the DC bias caused by GIC events have been successfully analysed using various simulation case studies. The effects of the winding connection, the core structure, and the network parameters including system impedances and transformer loading conditions on the magnetising currents of the transformers are summarised. Transient interaction among transformers and other system components during energisation and de-energisation operations are becoming increasingly important. One case study on switching ferroresonant transients was modelled using the available transformer test report data and the design data of the main components of the distribution network. The results were closely matched with field test results, which verified the simulation methodology. The simulation results helped establish the fundamental understanding of GIC and ferroresonance events in the power networks; among all the influential parameters identified, transformer core structure is the most important one. In summary, the five-limb core is easier to saturate than the three-limb transformer under the same GIC events; the smaller the side yoke area of the five-limb core, the easier it will be to saturate. More importantly, under GIC events a transformer core could become saturated irrespective of the loading condition of the transformer.

With deregulation, diagnosis and maintenance of power equipment, especially power transformers, become increasingly important to keep power systems in reliable operation. This dissertation systematically studied two kinds of transformer failure and abnormality cases, and then developed a new Internet based Virtual Hospital (VH) for power equipment to help power equipment diagnosis and maintenance. A practical case of generator-step-up (GSU) transformer failures in a pumped storage plant was extensively studied. Abnormal electrical phenomena associated with GSU transformers, including switching transients and very fast transients (VFT), and lightning, were analyzed. Simulation showed that circuit breaker restriking could be a major cause of transformer successive failures, and current surge arrester configuration did not provide enough lightning protection to GSU transformers. Mitigation of abnormal electrical phenomena effects on GSU transformers was proposed and discussed. The study can be a complete reference of troubleshooting of other similar transformer failures. Geomagnetically induced current (GIC) is another possible cause of transformer abnormality. A simplified method based on the equivalent magnetizing curve for transformers with different core design was developed and validated to estimate harmonic currents and MVar drawn by power transformers with a given GIC. An effective indicator was proposed using partial harmonic distortion, PHD, to show when the transformer begins saturating with the input GIC. The developed method has been applied to a real time GIC monitoring system last year for a large power network with thousands of transformers. A new Internet based Virtual Hospital (VH) for Power Equipment was conceptually developed to share experience of power equipment diagnosis and maintenance, and update the existing diagnostic techniques and maintenance strategies, and a comprehensive information model was developed for data organization, access, and archiving related to equipment diagnosis and maintenance. An Internet based interactive fault diagnostic tool has been launched for power transformers based on dissolved gas analysis (DGA). The above results and findings can help improving power equipment diagnosis and utility maintenance strategies. / Ph. D.

Submitted by Marlucy Farias Medeiros (marlucy.farias@unipampa.edu.br) on 2017-10-31T16:57:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Fabiana_da Cunha Lagoas - 2017.PDF: 14321561 bytes, checksum: 3289d01da05021ff92313e5754afb5f8 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marlucy Farias Medeiros (marlucy.farias@unipampa.edu.br) on 2017-10-31T18:24:31Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Fabiana_da Cunha Lagoas - 2017.PDF: 14321561 bytes, checksum: 3289d01da05021ff92313e5754afb5f8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-31T18:24:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fabiana_da Cunha Lagoas - 2017.PDF: 14321561 bytes, checksum: 3289d01da05021ff92313e5754afb5f8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-09-28 / Correntes geomagneticamente induzidas (GICs) são correntes espelhadas na superfície terrestre, que ocorrem em função do movimento de partículas ionizadas no campo magnético terrestre. Tais partículas eletricamente carregadas são provenientes da massa coronal expelida em erupções solares, as quais viajam a uma velocidade de, aproximadamente, 450 km/s. Ao entrarem em contato com a magnetosfera, proporcionam distorções no campo magnético, as quais são medidas por meio de três índices geomagneticos: Kp e Ap, que representam o grau de perturbação do campo magnético, e Dst, o qual informa a intensidade da tempestade solar por hora. Quando as GICs penetram no sistema elétrico de potencia (SEP) através dos aterramentos dos equipamentos, problemas podem ocorrer, tais como o aquecimento de componentes da rede, além de desligamentos de linhas de transmissão, decorrentes da atuação indevida de dispositivos de proteção. Destaca-se que, atualmente, as concessionarias brasileiras de energia são severamente multadas pelos órgãos reguladores quando ha a ocorrência de um desligamento não programado que não seja causado por uma falta permanente. Al˜ em disso, ressalta-se que os dispositivos de proteção são desprovidos de funções capazes de detectar as GICs, as quais comprometem também a vida útil de alguns equipamentos. Nesse contexto, um estudo aprofundando deste fenômeno geomagnético e apresentado neste trabalho. Para tal, um histórico de desarmes da Linha de Transmissão (LT) de 138 kV ALE SE – SMA1, localizada entre as cidades de Alegrete e Santa Maria, no estado do Rio Grande do Sul, foi analisado em função dos dados dos índices geomagnéticos para o período de 2010 a 2015. Além disso uma analise do ciclo solar, evidenciou a possibilidade de ocorrência de GICs nesta LT, o que pode justificar muitos dos desligamentos indeterminados. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho apresenta uma técnica para detecção de GICs, a qual pode ser aplicada em reles digitais ou em ferramentas computacionais para determinação das causas de desligamentos indevidos sem justificativa aparente. Tal método consiste em um filtro morfológico para detecção dessas correntes, o qual foi implementado em Matlab e testado a partir do processamento de sinais de corrente, gerados computacionalmente pela simulação de um sistema teste no software EMTP-ATP. Os valores de GICs utilizados para testar o seu desempenho foram obtidos a partir do software OPENDSS, o qual calcula o fluxo de corrente geomagneticamente induzida a partir de dados técnicos da LT, como o comprimento da linha e as respectivas latitudes e longitudes de seus terminais. Os resultados obtidos através das simulações em OPENDSS mostraram a ocorrência de GICs na linha estudada. Por fim, o processamento dos sinais conseguidos através da simulação do sistema, por parte da metodologia para detecção de GICs, comprovaram a excelência da técnica proposta. / Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) are mirrored currents on the Earth’s surface, which occur as a function of the movement of ionized particles in the Earth’s magnetic field. Such electrically charged particles are derived from the coronal mass expelled in solar flares, which travel at a speed of approximately 450 km / s. When they come into contact with the magnetosphere, they provide distortions in the magnetic field, which are measured by means of three geomagnetic indices: Kp and Ap, which represent the degree of perturbation of the magnetic field, and Dst, which informs the intensity of the solar storm per hour. When GICs penetrate the electrical power system (SEP) through the grounding of the equipment, problems can occur, such as the heating of network components, as well as disconnections of transmission lines, due to the improper performance of protection devices. It should be noted that, currently, Brazilian energy concessionaires are severely fined by regulatory agencies when there is an unplanned shutdown that is not caused by a permanent shortage. In addition, it is emphasized that the protection devices are devoid of functions capable of detecting the GICs, which also compromise the useful life of some equipment. In this context, an in-depth study of this geomagnetic phenomenon is presented in this paper. To do so, a history of disarranges of the 138 kV ALE SE - SMA1 transmission line, located between the cities of Alegrete and Santa Maria, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, was analyzed according to geomagnetic index data for The period from 2010 to 2015. And together with a study of sunspots, the possibility of occurrence of GICs in this LT was evidenced, which may justify many of the indeterminate disconnections. Thus, the present work presents a technique to detect GICs, which can be applied in digital relays or in computational tools to determine the causes of undue disconnections without apparent justification. This method consists of a morphological filter for the detection of these currents, which was implemented in Matlab R and tested from the current signal processing generated by the simulation of a test system in the EMTP-ATP R software. The values of GICs used to test their performance were obtained from OPENDSS R software, which calculates geomagnetically induced current flow from technical data of the LT, such as the length of the line and the respective latitudes and longitudes of its terminals. The results obtained through the simulations in OPENDSS showed the occurrence of GICs in the studied line. The results obtained from the processing of the signals obtained through the simulation of the system proved the excellence of the proposed technique.

Geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) are manifestations of space weather phenomena on the electric power grid. Although not a new phenomenon, they assume great importance in wake of the present, ever expanding power grids. This thesis discusses the cause of GICs, methodology of modeling them into the power system and the ramifications of their presence in the bulk power system. GIC is treated at a micro level considering its effects on the power system assets like Transformers and also at a macro level with respect to issues like Voltage instability. In illustration, several simulations are made on a transformer & the standard IEEE 14 bus system to reproduce the effect of a geomagnetic storm on a power grid. Various software tools like PowerWorld Simulator, SimPower Systems have been utilized in performing these simulations. Contingency analysis involving the weakest elements in the system has been performed to evaluate the impact of their loss on the system. Test results are laid out and discussed in detail to convey the consequences of a geomagnetic phenomenon on the power grid in a holistic manner.