Impact of Lightning-Induced Wildfires on Power System Based on Satellite Data and Climatological Projections

Abstract

The Mediterranean is one of the most cyclogenetic regions in the world. One of the most significant cyclone characteristics that can influence power systems is lightning. Except in the Mediterranean basin, favorable conditions for convection development and lightning appearance can be developed in other warm and moist conditions and in the mountain area. Every season, heavy lightning appears in Croatia, a small Mediterranean country through which the Dinaric Alps stretch. Lightning can cause various damages to the power system network, but also cause wildfire that can lead to additional enormous damages. It is well known that lightning can be very well forecasted by combining different meteorological models and satellite data. Various satellite data can also be used in forest fire monitoring, analysis, and risk prediction. Among the others, fire spreading depends on the vegetation and soil moisture conditions that can also be obtained by satellite. Some climate projections indicate that in the future, it is possible to expect more extreme conditions, more thunderstorms on one side, and more droughts on the other side. Thunderstorms can cause fire development and spread, especially when there is not enough humidity for rain and showers. During the drought, due to soil moisture decrease and vegetation dryness, wildfire spreading becomes easier daily. This paper will present the analysis of lightning-induced wildfires, endangered power system components in Croatia, and a climatic review of wildfires. A method for wildfire protection, vegetation growth monitoring, and post-fire landscape recovery monitoring will be suggested. Conducted analysis and suggested methods can be applied in power system planning and everyday operation through N-k (N-1) analysis. In the analysis, various satellite, meteorological, climatological data, lightning location system, and power system data are used.