Lessons Learned from the Ice Storm in 2008 in Jiangxi China

The most severe ice storm took place in Jiangxi China in the beginning of the year 2008 and struck more than 80% area of the Jiangxi power grid. Serious icing on transmission lines destroyed 116 towers of 500 kV and 142 towers of 220 kV in Jiangxi power grid. It is estimated that the power supply of about 7.5 million customers were affected. This paper provides a technical review of the procedure of the ice storm, the strike to the power grid and the power restoration process. The main characteristics of this ice storm are discussed. Finally, emergency strategy and the lesson from this natural disaster and power failure are summarized for power grid companies.