Electricity Today T&D Magazine

In Canada, lightning flashes occur about 2.34 million times a year; with the highest levels of concentration during the summer months.

While most lightning on earth is ground-to-cloud,  recent research has identified that the majority of lightning events to tall structures, such as wind turbines, occur in the presents of ground-to-cloud leaders – upward lightning.  More importantly, the majority of ground-to-cloud leaders transpire following a sudden change in electric field initiated by either cloud-to-cloud, cloud-to-air or cloud-to-ground discharges.

Since the late 1990’s, the utility grade wind turbine sector has identified lightening events as a significant risk factor.  Today, many standards...

The shift from traditional electrical grids to smart grids marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of energy distribution and management. Smart grids leverage cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and advanced automation to transform how electricity is monitored, distributed, and consumed. This shift aims to create a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient energy system capable of meeting modern energy demands and integrating renewable energy sources. 

Unlike traditional grids, which operate on one-way power delivery, smart grids enable two-way communication between energy providers and consumers. This bidirectional interaction allows for real-time adjustments to energy flow,...