Quantifying the Vulnerability of High Voltage Power Transmission Systems to Volcanic Ashfall Hazards

Type of content
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Degree name
Publisher
University of Canterbury. Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Canterbury. Geological Sciences
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Language
Date
2010
Authors
Wardman, J.B.
Wilson, T.M.
Cole, J.W.
Bodger, P.S.
Johnston, D.M.
Abstract

Insulator flashover initiated by volcanic ashfall contamination compromises the reliability of high voltage transmission systems. Research at the University of Canterbury has identified the properties of volcanic ash most significant in causing the electrical breakdown of insulators due to ‘flashover’. This paper describes our current quantitative research programme. The research includes development of a new testing methodology to characterise the electrical resistance of volcanic ash samples of varying composition, grain size, soluble salt content, compaction and moisture content have been analysed to better understand the properties influencing the conductivity of volcanic ash. This has allowed the creation of a physically, chemically and electrically equivalent ash proxy to be used for current and future laboratory experimentation. Results to date indicate that the electrical reistance of volcanic ash decreases with increasing soluble salt content, water content, compaction and grain size. Early contamination testing has demonstrated the adverse affects of wet volcanic ash on energised insulator strings.

Description
Citation
Wardman, J.B., Wilson, T.M, Cole, J.W., Bodger, P.S., Johnston, D.M. (2010) Quantifying the Vulnerability of High Voltage Power Transmission Systems to Volcanic Ashfall Hazards. Christchurch, New Zealand: 2010 Electricity Engineers' Association (EEA) Conference, 17-18 Jun 2010.
Keywords
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Field of Research::09 - Engineering::0906 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering::090601 - Circuits and Systems
Fields of Research::37 - Earth sciences::3705 - Geology::370512 - Volcanology
Fields of Research::37 - Earth sciences::3709 - Physical geography and environmental geoscience::370903 - Natural hazards
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