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.

The design of a transmission project is as varied in the factors that affect it as the people to which the project supplies electricity. This thesis focuses on the theoretical considerations in the design process that affect the emergence of reactive power in a system and how reactive compensation is achieved. It examines the place of theoretical concepts in reality by expounding on a field study on the construction of a new transmission power system connecting the North Western Province (NWP) of Zambia to the national grid. The thesis provides colour to these grey theoretical concepts in the form of conductor specifications, geometrical transmission tower relationships, load characteristics, population traits, transformer interactions and recommendations for improvements to the constructed grids using the analytic tools provided by the theoretical background. There is also provided some theoretical description of three recommendations made by this thesis to improve the power quality and general efficiency of the NWP. Along the way the thesis confirms the analytic calculations with reference to field documentation and programming tools such as MATLAB and Power World. It is the uniqueness of the system in terms of load demand and geography that allows for an analysis and comparison of the reactive power in the transmission network. These challenges and the possible solutions to them form the focus of the thesis.