Induction in power transmission lines during geomagnetic disturbances

The electric field associated with geomagnetic disturbances gives rise to potential differences at the Earth's surface. Thus, currents are induced in power transmission lines which are earthed at both ends through transformers. The currents vary so slowly with time that they can be considered direct currents. The phenomenon has been studied in Finland for some years, and in connection with this research induced currents have been measured at four places by recording the current from the transformer neutral into the Earth. These measurements are considered in this paper. In addition, theoretical calculation of the potential differences and of the currents is discussed.Paper presented at the Fifth International Wrocaw Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Wrocaw (Poland), 17–19 September, 1980.     

Inductive electric fields in the magnetotail and their relation to auroral and substorm phenomena

The paper reviews the importance of inductive electric fields in explaining different magnetospheric and auroral phenomena during moderately and highly disturbed conditions. Quiet-time particle energization and temporal development of the tail structure during the substorm growth phase are explained by the presence of a large-scale electrostatic field directed from dawn to dusk over the magnetotail. Conservation of the first adiabatic invariant in the neutral sheet with a small value of the gradient in the magnetic field implies that the longitudinal energy increases at each crossing of the neutral sheet. At a certain moment, this may result in a rapid local growth of the current and in an instability that triggers the onset. During the growth phase energy is stored mainly in the magnetic field, since the energy density in the electric field is negligible compared to that of the magnetic field (ratio 1: 10⁷). An analytical model is described in which the characteristic observations of a substorm onset are taken into account. One major feature is that the triggering is confined to a small local time sector. During moderate disturbances, the induction fields in the magnetotail are stronger by at least one order of magnitude than the average cross-tail field. Temporal development of the disturbed area results in X- and O-type neutral lines. Particles near to these neutral lines are energized to over 1 MeV energies within a few seconds, due to an effective combination of linear and betatron acceleration. The rotational property of the induction field promotes energization in a restricted area with dimensions equivalent to a few Earth's radii. The model also predicts the existence of highly localized cable-type field-aligned currents appearing on the eastern and western edges of the expanding auroral bulge. It is shown that the predictions agree with satellite observations and with the data obtained from the two-dimensional instrument networks operated in Northern Europe during the International Magnetospheric Study (IMS, 1976–79).     

Effects of space weather on high-latitude ground systems

Geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) in technological systems, such as power grids, pipelines, cables and railways, are a ground manifestation of space weather. The first GIC observations were already made in early telegraph equipment more than 150 years ago. In power networks, GIC may saturate transformers with possible harmful consequences extending even to a collapse of the whole system or to permanent damage of transformers. In pipelines, GIC and the associated pipe-to-soil voltages may enhance corrosion or disturb surveys associated with corrosion control. GIC are driven by the geoelectric field induced by a geomagnetic variation at the Earth’s surface. The electric and magnetic fields are primarily produced by ionospheric currents and secondarily affected by the ground conductivity. Of great importance is the auroral electrojet with other rapidly varying currents indicating that GIC are a particular high-latitude problem. In this paper, we summarize the GIC research done in Finland during about 25 years, and discuss the calculation of GIC in a given network. Special attention is paid to modelling a power system. It is shown that, when considering GIC at a site, it is usually sufficient to take account for a smaller grid in the vicinity of the particular site. Modelling GIC also provides a basis for developing forecasting and warning methods of GIC.     

Effects of strong geomagnetic storms on Northern railways in Russia

Seventeen severe magnetic storms occurred in the period 2000 through 2005. In addition there was a major magnetic storm in March 1989. During each of these storms there was an anomaly in the operation of the system of Signalization, Centralization and Blockage (SCB) in some divisions of the high-latitude (∼58 to 64°N) Russian railways. This anomaly was revealed as false traffic light signals about the occupation of the railways. These signals on the Northern railways appeared exactly during the main phases of the strongest part of the geomagnetic storms characterized by high geomagnetic indices Dst and Kp (Ap). Moreover, the durations of these anomalies coincided with the period of the greatest geomagnetic disturbances in a given event. Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) during significant strengthening of geomagnetic activity are concluded as the obvious reasons for such kind of anomalies.