TVA's experience with the SUNYA lightning detection network

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has had access to real-time data on cloud-to-ground lightning strikes in its service area through the lightning detection network (LDN) operated by the State University of New York at Albany (SUNYA). The authors show that in the TVA service area most lightning outages do not occur where the most lightning is. Instead, factors such as structure footing resistance can play an important role. Lightning data are displayed in real time on personal computer workstations connected to SUNYA by satellite link and are recorded for later analysis. TVA is using these data to analyze transmission-line outages (real-time and historical), provide warning of approaching lightning to line crews, develop ground-flash density maps, and to learn more about lightning and its effect on TVA's transmission system. Lightning flashes that cause particular line outages have been identified and their current and multiplicity characteristics studied.<>