Lightning Hazard Distribution for Power Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for classifying lightning regions based on thunderstorm days are inadequate for representing lightning hazard distribution in power networks, as they do not accurately reflect the specific frequency and distribution of hazardous lightning activities, leading to insufficient guidance for lightning protection design and high failure rates in high voltage transmission lines.
Innovation Solution
A computer-automated method for determining lightning hazard distribution in power networks, which involves deriving shielding failure and back flashover hazard distributions from ground lightning data and historical fault records, using GIS to integrate these into a comprehensive hazard map, accounting for various insulation levels and geographical attributes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ground lightning density distribution is used to characterize lightning activities, then the frequency and distribution of lightning can be represented, but it cannot reflect the specific hazard distribution for power networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between general ground lightning density and power network-specific hazardous lightning density. It segments the lightning population into categories based on their hazard to power networks (shielding failure, back flashover, direct strike) and assigns different weights and characteristics to each category, thereby providing locally optimized information for power network protection while maintaining overall lightning distribution data.
2Ease of operation
If thunderstorm days data is used for lightning region classification, then the method is simple and easy to implement, but it cannot completely represent lightning activity characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the classification approach by changing from a single parameter (thunderstorm days) to multiple parameters including ground lightning density, hazardous lightning density, shielding failure current, back flashover current, and direct strike frequency. This multi-parameter system maintains operational feasibility through standardized calculation methods while dramatically improving the precision of lightning activity representation for power network applications.
3Reliability
If protective measures are implemented across the entire high voltage transmission line, then lightning protection coverage is maximized, but the cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the high voltage transmission line into distinct hazard zones based on the calculated hazardous lightning density distribution. Each zone is characterized by different lightning threat levels and corresponding protection requirements. This allows protective measures to be concentrated in high-hazard regions while reducing or eliminating unnecessary protection in low-hazard areas, thereby maintaining reliability where needed while reducing overall complexity and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a lightning hazard distribution of a power network, includes: deriving a shielding failure lightning hazard distribution of the power network and a back flashover lightning hazard distribution of the power network from the number of ground lightning in each grid and ranges of hazardous currents, and deriving a historical lightning hazard distribution of the power network from a lightning faults database of the power network and the grids; and determining the lightning hazard distribution of the power network by integrating the shielding failure lightning hazard distribution of the power network, the back flashover lightning hazard distribution of the power network and the historical lightning hazard distribution of the power network.