Investigation in the Effects of GICs on Power System Harmonics

Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) caused by solar storms pose a growing challenge to the stability and reliability of modern transmission systems. As solar activity intensifies with the current solar cycle, understanding how GICs affect power system harmonics is increasingly important for maintaining power quality and avoiding undue stress and potential tripping on critical assets. Harmonic distortion, defined as deviation from the ideal sinusoidal waveform, can accelerate equipment ageing, increase losses, interfere with protection systems and risk non-compliance with standards such as IEC 61000-3-6, leading in extreme cases to the tripping of transmission assets. This paper investigates the relationship between GICs and harmonic distortion in the Irish transmission system, using…