Line lightning protection device as an overhead line grid resilient instrument to mitigate transient interruption due to lightning in TNB 33kV overhead line distribution network

With the success of a study regarding the use of the line lightning protection device (LLPD) on 33kV bare overhead lines conducted in 2016, Distribution Network Division, TNB, has embarked on a system-wide roll out since 2020 to mitigate transient interruptions due to lightning. The selection criteria involving the placement of the LLPD is in accordance with a 4-tiered strategy to ensure the effectiveness of the LLPD installed on carefully identified overhead line feeders that are categorized as worst performing feeders (WPF) exacerbated by high lightning incidences and located on high soil resistivity areas. Based on the year-to-year analysis on the effectiveness of the LLPD, there seems to be mixed results in terms of transient interruption reduction where 60% of the selected feeders have shown desirable results while another 36% of the selected feeders require further investigation for corrective actions. And by improving the effectiveness of mitigating transient interruptions, these LLPD’s can become an instrument in providing grid resilience to the 33kV bare overhead lines.