Computing Lightning-Induced Voltages on Overhead Distribution Lines Using the RBF-FDTD Approach

This paper presents an advanced application of the Radial Basis Function–Finite-Difference Time-Domain (RBF-FDTD) method, as introduced in [1], to solve the field-to-line coupling equations for simulating lightning-induced voltages on overhead distribution lines. Simulation results for a typical 1-km, 110-kV line obtained using both the RBF-FDTD and conventional FDTD methods are compared against benchmark solutions from the Lightning-Induced Overvoltage (LIOV) software to validate accuracy and determine the optimal shape parameters for the RBFs. The RBF-FDTD method exhibits high accuracy and reduced numerical dispersion, particularly when the shape parameters are optimally selected. Furthermore, the effects of critical physical factors—including lightning electromagnetic field models, imperfect ground conductivity, and corona discharge dynamics—on the induced voltages are analyzed through error evaluation. The results confirm the proposed method’s capability for reliable and efficient simulation of lightning transients, providing valuable insights for the design and protection of power distribution systems against fast transient overvoltages.