Distribution system operators have not had to worry about their over 600,000 local network stations around Germany, since there are simply no electronics installed there that could be endangered by a lightning strike. The energy transition is now changing that: The volatile feed-in to the distribution grids is increasing, and the fluctuations of the load flows are becoming ever greater, as are the associated voltage fluctuations.
It is crucial to upgrade location network stations: with “intelligent” electronic components such as communication and telecontrol technology, controllable local network transformers and longitudinal voltage regulators or remote controllable load break switches and circuit breakers on the medium voltage level. Tools like these help the network operators keep the power grid stable.
The crux of the matter is that the more electro-technical equipment and devices that are installed in the local network stations, and the more complex and interconnected the local power supply becomes, the greater the risk is of damage due to lightning. As the interface between the medium and low voltage network, the local network stations are especially at risk in this regard.
Lightning striking the equipment or in its immediate vicinity is not the only danger; the interference pulses can also be transferred through the incoming supply lines. Depending on soil conditions and other factors, the hazard radius can extend up to one and a quarter miles (two kilometers) around where the lightning strikes.