TY - GEN

T1 - Space weather impacts on ground-based energy infrastructure

AU - Lewis, Zoe

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - It is well documented that space weather may impact electricity infrastructure. Several widespread blackouts have been observed in the past fewdecades and directly linked to the largest geomagnetic storms (e.g. the Hydro Qu´ebec incident in 1989). However, less is known about the impact oflower-level geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) on the health of transformers in the long term. In this study, dissolved gas data from UK powerstation transformers were analysed in detail in a space weather context forthe first time. Dissolved gas measurements from 2010–2015 were used tolook for evidence of a link between degradation of the transformer insulation and heightened levels of SYM-H and dB-dt as measured at Eskdalemuirand Hartland magnetometer stations. Firstly, case studies were examined ofthe most significant storms in this time period using dissolved gas analysis(DGA) methods, specifically the Low Energy Degradation Triangle (LEDT).The case studies were then augmented with a statistical survey, includingSuperposed Epoch Analysis (SEA) of multiple storm events. No evidenceof a strong space weather impact can be found during this time period,likely due to the relatively quiet nature of the Sun during this epoch andthe modernity of the transformers studied.

AB - It is well documented that space weather may impact electricity infrastructure. Several widespread blackouts have been observed in the past fewdecades and directly linked to the largest geomagnetic storms (e.g. the Hydro Qu´ebec incident in 1989). However, less is known about the impact oflower-level geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) on the health of transformers in the long term. In this study, dissolved gas data from UK powerstation transformers were analysed in detail in a space weather context forthe first time. Dissolved gas measurements from 2010–2015 were used tolook for evidence of a link between degradation of the transformer insulation and heightened levels of SYM-H and dB-dt as measured at Eskdalemuirand Hartland magnetometer stations. Firstly, case studies were examined ofthe most significant storms in this time period using dissolved gas analysis(DGA) methods, specifically the Low Energy Degradation Triangle (LEDT).The case studies were then augmented with a statistical survey, includingSuperposed Epoch Analysis (SEA) of multiple storm events. No evidenceof a strong space weather impact can be found during this time period,likely due to the relatively quiet nature of the Sun during this epoch andthe modernity of the transformers studied.

U2 - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/1463

DO - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/1463

M3 - Master's Thesis

PB - Lancaster University

ER -