Real-Time Simulation of Geomagnetically Induced Currents

To monitor the impact of geomagnetic disturbances on a power network a system has been developed to provide real-time simulations of the geomagnetically induced currents flowing in a power system. The Real- Time GIC Simulator uses real-time magnetic data from a magnetic observatory. This is combined with a model of the earth conductivity structure to determine the electric field produced by the magnetic field variations. This electric field becomes the input to a model of the power system which calculates the GIC in the transmission lines and flowing to/from ground at the substations. These model results are displayed in a set of graphs and tables that can provide engineers and system operators with a continually updating view of the magnitudes of GIC in the network.