Skip to main content
Log in

Assessment of Geomagnetic Hazard to Power Systems in Canada

  • Published:
Natural Hazards Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper presents an assessment ofgeomagnetic hazard on the five largest power systemsin Canada. From east to west these are: Nova ScotiaPower, Hydro-Quebec, Ontario Hydro West System, Manitoba Hydro, and the northern B.C. Hydro system. The aim of this study was to determine howfrequently, and where in a system, largegeomagnetically induced currents (GIC) could beexpected. To do this, an analysis was made of thespectral characteristics of the magnetic fieldvariations that cause GIC, and a review was made ofpublished magnetotelluric soundings in order todetermine conductivity models for different parts ofthe country. The magnetic field spectra and theconductivity information were then used to determinethe electric fields produced during geomagneticdisturbances. A relation was determined betweenelectric field magnitudes and the magnetic activityindex, Kp so that statistics for Kp could be used todetermine the occurrence rates of large electricfields. Power system models were used to determinethe GIC produced by the `1-year' and `10-year'electric fields experienced by each power system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen, J., Krank, L., Sauer, H., and Reiff, P.: 1989, Effects of the March 1989 solar activity, EOS 70, 1479.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boteler, D. H., Bui-Van, Q., and Lemay, L.: 1994, Directional sensitivity to geomagnetically induced currents of the Hydro-Quebec 735 kV power system, IEEE Trans. Power Delivery 9, 1963–1971.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boteler, D. H. and Pirjola, R. J.: 1998, Modelling geomagnetically induced currents produced by realistic and uniform electric fields, IEEE Trans. Power Delivery 13, 1303–1308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boteler, D. H., Boutilier, S., Wong, A. K., Bui-Van, Q., Hajagos, L., Swatek, D., Leonard, R., Hughes, B., Ferguson, I. J., and Odwar, H. D.: 1997, Geomagnetically Induced Currents: Geomagnetic Hazard Assessment, Phase II, Geological Survey of Canada, Open File No 3420, 1997.

  • Clowes, R. (ed.): 1989, LITHOPROBE: The Evolution of a Continent, LITHOPROBE Secretariat, Vancouver B.C.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coles, R. L. and Boteler, D. H.: 1992, Geomagnetic hazard assessment, phase 1, Geological Survey of Canada, Open File No 2635, 1992.

  • Davidson, W. F.: 1940, The magnetic storm of March 24, 1940 - effects in the power system, Presentation to the Edison Electric Institute.

  • Fine, H.: 1954, An effective ground conductivity map for continental United States, Proc. I.R.E. pp. 1405–1408.

  • Ferguson, I. J. and Odwar, H. D.: 1997, Review of conductivity soundings in Canada, Vol. 3, Geomagnetic Hazard Assessment, Phase II, Geological Survey of Canada, Open File No 3420, 1997.

  • Joselyn, J. A., Flueck, J. A., and Brown, T.: 1988, Geomagnetic climatology, Annales Geophysicae 6, 595–600.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kappenman, J. G.: 1996, Geomagnetic storms and their impact on power systems, IEEE Power Engineering Review 16, 5.

    Google Scholar 

  • King, P. B.: 1977, The Evolution of North America, Princeton University Press, New Jersey, revised edn, 197 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stott, D. F. and Aitken, J. D. (eds): 1993, Sedimentary Cover of the Craton in Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, Geology of Canada, no. 5, 826 pp.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Boteler, D.H. Assessment of Geomagnetic Hazard to Power Systems in Canada. Natural Hazards 23, 101–120 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011194414259

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011194414259

Navigation