Open AccessLong‐Term Geomagnetically Induced Current Observations From New Zealand: Peak Current Estimates for Extreme Geomagnetic Storms
Author(s) -
Rodger Craig J.,
Mac Manus Daniel H.,
Dalzell Michael,
Thomson Alan W. P.,
Clarke Ellen,
Petersen Tanja,
Clilverd Mark A.,
Divett Tim
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
space weather
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.254
H-Index - 56
ISSN - 1542-7390
DOI - 10.1002/2017sw001691
Subject(s) - geomagnetic storm , geomagnetically induced current , storm , earth's magnetic field , return period , climatology , environmental science , meteorology , atmospheric sciences , geology , geography , physics , magnetic field , archaeology , flood myth , quantum mechanics
Geomagnetically induced current (GIC) observations made in New Zealand over 14 years show induction effects associated with a rapidly varying horizontal magnetic field (d B H /d t ) during geomagnetic storms. This study analyzes the GIC observations in order to estimate the impact of extreme storms as a hazard to the power system in New Zealand. Analysis is undertaken of GIC in transformer number six in Islington, Christchurch (ISL M6), which had the highest observed currents during the 6 November 2001 storm. Using previously published values of 3,000 nT/min as a representation of an extreme storm with 100 year return period, induced currents of ~455 A were estimated for Islington (with the 95% confidence interval range being ~155–605 A). For 200 year return periods using 5,000 nT/min, current estimates reach ~755 A (confidence interval range 155–910 A). GIC measurements from the much shorter data set collected at transformer number 4 in Halfway Bush, Dunedin, (HWB T4), found induced currents to be consistently a factor of 3 higher than at Islington, suggesting equivalent extreme storm effects of ~460–1,815 A (100 year return) and ~460–2,720 A (200 year return). An estimate was undertaken of likely failure levels for single‐phase transformers, such as HWB T4 when it failed during the 6 November 2001 geomagnetic storm, identifying that induced currents of ~100 A can put such transformer types at risk of damage. Detailed modeling of the New Zealand power system is therefore required to put this regional analysis into a global context.