On the Impact of Geomagnetically Induced Currents on the Energy System of the Altai Republic and Siberia

An assessment of power-transformer overload in the power system of the Altai Republic and the Sayano-Shushenskaya HPS resulting from geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) has been performed. A unit for measuring GICs in the Altai Republic’s energy system and the GIC measurement results in the spring and summer of 2024 are presented. A physicomathematical model has been developed that makes it possible to calculate GICs based on data obtained from the Baigazan magnetic station. The results of direct measurements are qualitatively consistent with the results obtained in the course of simulation. By using the model, a theoretical assessment of the GICs at the substations of the 500-kV power-transmission line between the Sayano-Shushenskaya HPS and the Novokuznetsk HVS has been performed. For the case of the strongest magnetic storm in 20 years on May 10–11, 2024, the calculated values of the GIC amounted to about 100 and 50 A. Based on literature data and the measurements performed with the use of a testing bench, estimates have been made for the increase in the open-circuit current of power transformers owing to GICs at the Ininskaya high-voltage substation (HVS) in the Altai Republic power system (7%), Novokuznetsk HVS (14 A, 1500%), and Sayano-Shushenskaya HPS (20 A, 1000%) are given. It is concluded that these power systems are resistant with respect to such impacts.

Uchaykin E. O., Gvozdarev A. Yu., Kudryavtsev N. G., Yadagaev E. G. On the Impact of Geomagnetically Induced Currents on the Energy System of the Altai Republic and Siberia // Russian Electrical Engineering. - 2025. - Vol. 96, No. 6. - pp. 477–484