Simulating Solar Storms via Active DC Injection from the HVDC Link
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As part of the MBIE Endeavour programme “Solar Tsunamis: Space-Weather Prediction and Risk Mitigation for New Zealand’s Energy Infrastructure,” we are interested in the effects of geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) on New Zealand’s electrical infrastructure. GICs appear as quasi-dc currents on the power system and can lead to problems in the network as a result of transformer saturation such as increased reactive power demand, increased harmonics, and even overloading of the transformers. Studies have shown that, depending on the severity of the solar storm, these effects could potentially be widespread. Different transformer designs behave differently under these quasi-dc conditions, with single phase designs the worst, and three-limb core designs proving the most resilient. Furthermore, several transformers in New Zealand have neutral earthing resistors (NERs) installed. Therefore, it is difficult to say at what point do GICs start becoming a problem, and how much current is too much current. In January 2023, with the support of Transpower, we were able to utilise New Zealand’s high voltage DC (HVDC) link to inject current directly into the ground at Haywards substation and monitor the effects on two 216 MVA, 220/110 kV autotransformers, along with monitoring of associated transmission lines. Over the span of nine days, six injection tests were carried out lasting between one and two hours each time. The peak current injected into the ground was about 621 A. This paper provides an overview of the testing plan, procedure, and initial results from the collected data.