Geomagnetic Induced Current Analysis In A Hybrid PV Power System Network

During geomagnetic storms, geomagnetic induced current (GIC) is generated on the earth surface. GIC passes from the earth soil into the neutral grounded transformers, resulting in half-cycle saturation. Half-cycle saturation increases the reactive power absorption of the transformer, generating significant harmonic currents, leading to a problem of voltage control and transformer heating. The aim of this paper is to investigate the GIC impacts and mitigation method on a hybrid PV power system network using the Power Systems Computer-Aided Design (PSCAD) software. The network consists of a PV plant, wind farm, and loads connected to 0.480 kV busbar. GIC is modelled as a controlled DC voltage source and injected into the hybrid PV system through a neutral of the wind turbine (WT) transformer. Different GIC mitigation devices via resistor and capacitor placement have been applied to eliminate the GIC impacts on the hybrid system. In this paper, three case studies have been conducted and the simulation results are compared to analyse GIC impacts in the hybrid PV power system network.