Geomagnetically Induced Currents in the Serbian Power Grid: Risk Assessment Using a Scaled Geoelectric Field Model

11th International Scientific Conference Technics, Informatics and Education – TIE 2026, (pp. 335-343)

 

АУТОР(И) / AUTHOR(S): Igor Lavrnić , Jasmina Pekez and Milan Mišić  

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.46793/TIE26.335L

САЖЕТАК /ABSTRACT:

The paper proposed a model of the scaled geoelectric field (SGFT) for the projection of the level of geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) in the power grid of Serbia. Serbia is located at a mid-latitude (~44°N) and so far there are no systematic direct measurements of GIC. The model uses data from four reference countries of similar latitude and geological structure (Hungary, Greece, Italy, Croatia) with measured or modeled GIC values during the May 2024 geomagnetic storm. Scaling is done based on three factors: (1) soil surface conductivity ratio, (2) geomagnetic latitude, and (3) topological characteristics of the power grid. The results show that the maximum values of GIC in the Serbian network during a storm similar to May 2024 could reach 15-35 A on critical substations, with the highest risk in the north of the country (Pannonian Basin). The paper provides the first quantitative assessment of GIC risk for Serbia and suggests priorities for future direct measurements

КЉУЧНЕ РЕЧИ / KEYWORDS: 

Geomagnetically Induced Currents, Power Grid, Geoelectric Field, Spatial Weather Forecast, Serbia, Mid-latitudes

ПРОЈЕКАТ / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

The authors thank the international scientific community for the development of geomagnetically induced current modeling methodologies, especially the EURISGIC project consortium for the establishment of continental estimates. Geomagnetic data and indices of spatiotemporal conditions are taken from publicly available sources including the OMNI database, INTERMAGNET and the European Quasi-Meridional Magnetometer Array (EMMA). Data on the electric power network of Serbia were taken from publicly available reports of the Electric Power Network of Serbia.

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