Methodology for Analysis of Electric Distribution Network Criticality Due to Direct Lightning Discharges

Raphael Pablo de Souza Barradas, Gabriel Vianna Soares Rocha, João Rodrigo Silva Muniz, Ubiratan Holanda Bezerra, Marcus Vinícius Alves Nunes and Jucileno Silva e Silva
Additional contact information
Raphael Pablo de Souza Barradas: CEAMAZON—Amazon Energy Efficiency Center, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Ave. Perimetral 2651, Guamá, 66077-830 Belém, PA, Brazil
Gabriel Vianna Soares Rocha: CEAMAZON—Amazon Energy Efficiency Center, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Ave. Perimetral 2651, Guamá, 66077-830 Belém, PA, Brazil
João Rodrigo Silva Muniz: CEAMAZON—Amazon Energy Efficiency Center, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Ave. Perimetral 2651, Guamá, 66077-830 Belém, PA, Brazil
Ubiratan Holanda Bezerra: CEAMAZON—Amazon Energy Efficiency Center, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Ave. Perimetral 2651, Guamá, 66077-830 Belém, PA, Brazil
Marcus Vinícius Alves Nunes: CEAMAZON—Amazon Energy Efficiency Center, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Ave. Perimetral 2651, Guamá, 66077-830 Belém, PA, Brazil
Jucileno Silva e Silva: EQUATORIAL PARÁ—Electric Distribution Utility of Pará, Ave. Augusto Montenegro 5639-5671, Castanheira, 66645-001 Belém, PA, Brazil

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 7, 1-23

Abstract: Direct lightning discharges in overhead distribution networks invariably cause serious insulation damage, frequently leading to the electric system’s partial or total shutdown. Installing lightning arresters can be very effective, and it is commonly used to minimize this problem; however, considering that typically, electric distribution grids exhibit a very large number of electrical nodes, the massive use of lightning arresters may not be economically viable. In this way, this article proposes a methodology for allocating lightning arresters that can significantly reduce the number of lightning arresters installed, but at the same time maintaining an adequate protection level for the distribution grid. The proposed methodology, named Direct Discharge Crossing (DDC), analyzes the network criticality based on two main factors, which are the overvoltage magnitudes and the number of flashovers provoked by lightning discharges, and defines a feeder lightning performance function that is used to indicate the recommended location for lightning arresters’ installation. The simulation studies are accomplished using the IEEE 34 bus distribution grid and ATP software to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed solution, which is confirmed by the results presented.

Keywords: direct lightning discharges; electric distribution network; transient analysis; surge arrester allocation; ATP; direct discharge crossing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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