Geo-lightning grid based on a geographical information system, to improve poles distribution network designs, prioritize maintenance and boost the power system reliability

This paper presents a grid built based on the correlation of lightning strikes location and amplitude in kilo amperes, to understand and improve the designs of the electrical poles located in critical areas of significant lightning activity. The geo-lightning grid is colored blue to red, being red critical, to prioritize the areas. Overlapped with the electrical network geographical topology, displays the sections of the network that must be strengthened to meet the lightning density with such characteristics. The geo-lightning grid and the electrical network are based on a Geographical Information System. A case study is presented to illustrate the impact of this approach, studying a power system which feeds an Oil field, where the power supply is tied with the barrels of oil production. Being the power reliability a milestone as a consequence of the tremendous economic impact that a failure due to lightning may cause.

I. Introduction

Power quality concerns have created more interest in lightning, and improved lightning protection of overhead distribution lines against faults is being considered as a way of reducing the number of momentary interruptions and voltage sags.[1]