Speaker
Description
Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GIC) occur when rapid variations happen in the Earth’s magnetic field during geomagnetic storms due to space weather events. Such variations induce electric fields in the ground, which in turn drive unwanted currents in long conductors. As a way of assessing the magnitude of the GIC expected, empirical model is developed. This study presents the magnetic field results obtained by using the differential magnetometer method (DMM) under the national utility ESKOM’s major power line in Dealesville, central South Africa, to quantify the effect of GIC during storms. One magnetic sensor is placed just under the power line at a height of 18 m from the ground, while another magnetometer sensor measures the background magnetic field 150 m away from the power line. A permanent magnetic observatory, Hartebeesthoek (HBK), 400 km away from Dealesville is used as a reference station. Available data for all geomagnetic storms with Kp ≥ 4 between 2021 and 2026 are analysed to estimate GICs, which are related to geomagnetic activity indices Dst, Kp, and local K values to build a predictive model of GICs using parameters of the Earth's magnetic field variations.
| Apply for student award at which level: | MSc |
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| Consent on use of personal information: Abstract Submission | Yes, I ACCEPT |