AusLAMP shines a light on space weather hazards in the Australian high-voltage power grid

• DOI: 10.1080/08123985.2023.2281617
• Publication Date: 2023-11-14T17:04:51Z
• Authors: Liejun Wang; Jingming Duan; Adrian P. Hitchman; Matthew G. Gard; Richard A. Marshall; Andrew M. Lewis; William V. Jones
• Keywords: Space Weather; Geomagnetically induced current; Magnetotellurics; Power transmission

A geomagnetic storm, also known as a disturbance (GMD), is major of the Earth's magnetic field caused by solar activity. storm induces electric currents in Earth that feed into power lines through substation neutral earthing, causing instabilities and even blackouts electricity transmission systems. The intensity geomagnetically induced (GICs) closely associated with electrical conductivity surrounding geology. In this paper, we analyse one most well-known storms, 1989 "Québec storm" 688 magnetotelluric (MT) survey sites from Australian Lithospheric Architecture Magnetotelluric Project (AusLAMP) to gain insight space weather hazard posed for Australia's modern-day grids. Transmission may exhibit local maxima at differing times depending on their spatial orientation length respect time-varying field. Localised peak voltages over 100 V can be observed some individual lines. This assessment identifies distribution GICs south-eastern Australia Québec are more vulnerable GICs. It relevant national strategies risk procedures mitigate hazards high-voltage grid design resilient system. We 2015 "St Patrick's Day study under-estimation band-limited data MT sets.