Climate Changes and Detailed Characterization of Lightning Activity: Impact on Lightning Performance of Transmission Lines

Abstract:
This paper examines the impact of climate change on lightning activity and its implications for the protection of transmission lines (TLs). Focusing on a Brazilian transmission line over an 11-year period, we observed an increase both in frequency and intensity of lightning strikes, stressing the need for dynamic and adaptive lightning protection strategies. Through detailed analysis, the study reveals significant variability in lightning activity, emphasizing the shift from de-terministic to probabilistic approaches in risk management and protection design. It proposes a methodology for segmenting TLs and analysing lightning activity to identify critical sections more susceptible to outages, aiding in prioritizing maintenance and upgrades. Additionally, the influence of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on seasonal lightning patterns is discussed, underlining the importance of understanding climatic factors for effective TL management and the anticipation of periods of heightened risk.