Speaker
Description
Geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) are among the most hazardous forms of space weather impacts. Finnish Meteorological Institute has a long history of GIC measurements and real-time GIC modeling, with products also being delivered to the ESA Space Weather Service Network. Our latest research focuses on GIC estimation during the extreme Halloween geomagnetic storm, which caused the strongest measured GIC in the Finnish natural gas pipeline in Mäntsälä.
We use IMAGE magnetometer data and 1D and 3D ground conductivity models for calculating the geoelectric field during the Halloween storm. Then, we calculate GIC in a simplified model of the Finnish 400 kV power grid, contrasting the results obtained with the 1D and 3D methods. In this study, we also update the GIC calculation routine, which more accurately accounts for spatial variation in the geoelectric field along power lines.
Our results show significant differences between the 1D and 3D modeling approaches, particularly in regions with high lateral conductivity gradients, such as coastal zones or resistive bedrock formations. These geological features strongly influence the geoelectric field distribution, highlighting the importance of 3D conductivity models for accurate GIC risk assessment.
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