GIC research in Austria

Description

The detection of unusual high audible transformer noise was the starting point of geomagnetically induced current investigations in Austria. Initiated by the Austrian Transmission Grid Operator, continuous measurement of GICs started in 2017. At the time, there are 9 self-designed transformer neutral point measurement systems in operation in Austria, measuring GICs in 220 kV and 380 kV transformer neutral points up to 25A. We identified recurrent geomagnetic activity in the measurements, and also found man-made sources of low frequency currents using frequency analysis. In order to support the transmission grid operators, two GIC simulation approaches are used to simulate GICs in the power grid. The first model uses measurements to derive the sensitivity of the location to northward and eastward geoelectric field components (which requires no detailed grid data), and the second model uses the detailed grid model to compute GICs from a geoelectric field. The second model also allows the analysis of GIC impacts on the power grid with integrated reactive power calculation and interfaces to other power calculation software.

In this presentation, a review as well as the status of GIC measurements, simulation and research on power grid impact in Austria will be shown.

Period	2 Feb 2023
Event title	GIC Modelling in Europe: Mini-Meeting
Event type	Workshop
Degree of Recognition	International