NIA SSEN 0035: Informed Lightning Protection

Key activities

Lightning strikes are known to cause a significant number of supply interruptions to our customers and damage to the network which is costly to resolve. In our Scottish Network, lightening strikes are the second highest cause of customer interruptions and minutes lost, whilst in our Southern Network it is the fifth highest cause. Therefore, avoiding the impact that unplanned outages have on our customers is an important issue for SSEN.

Expected outcomes

This project aims to develop a ‘point in time’ lightning analysis tool that can be used to locate the optimal location for lightning protection equipment. Following on from the identification of the best place for lightning protection, current surge arresters will be installed with the aim of reducing electricity interruptions and network damage caused by lightning. Then the monitoring and analysis phase will begin using fault data to confirm effectiveness of lightning protection.