Ground Flash Density Map for Mauritius and its Use for Improving the Lightning Performance of Transmission Lines

Abstract

Lightning is a high current discharge which can cause damage and injury. Although unpredictable by nature, lightning strokes create a pattern over time which can help in the design and the adoption of specific mitigating measures. Although not a lightning hotspot, Mauritius has been affected by this phenomenon down the years, especially the power system. In this study, data collected from lightning activities in Mauritius from 2010 to 2020 by WWLLN have been used to come up with a ground flash density map, both spacial and temporal for the country. Based on this map and the power grid of Mauritius, the transmission lines which are more prone to lightning strokes will be identified. These lines can then be prioritized for the implementation of mitigating measures for performance improvement against lightning. Besides the power system operators, the findings of this paper will be of interest to meteorologists, architects, engineers in the building services and communication service providers as well.