Document Type : Research Articles
Author
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Qom University of Technology, Qom, Iran.
Abstract
This paper presents a comparative study on the application of artificial intelligence for optimizing External Lightning Protection Systems (ELPS) in photovoltaic power (PV) plants. The research addresses the critical need for advanced protection systems in solar installations, which are particularly vulnerable to lightning strikes due to their expansive outdoor configurations. Through a detailed comparative analysis, the study evaluates multiple AI approaches, including metaheuristic algorithms and machine learning models. The investigation reveals that metaheuristic algorithms often have lower accuracy compared to modern AI techniques. All comparisons are based on a multi-level optimization framework, systematically addressing air termination design, grounding system configuration, and overall system integration. The results show superiority in sensitivity analysis in the transformer model. Compared to other models, the random forest (RF) model, along with the artificial neural network (ANN) model, has a higher speed in data analysis. However, physics-informed neural networks (PINN) achieve remarkable improvements, delivering 93% protection coverage with only 3.2% grounding error while significantly reducing design convergence times.
Keywords
Main Subjects
[1] P. Chiradeja and A. Ngaopitakkul, "Identify direct lightning strike location based on discrete wavelet transform for 115-kv transmission system," IEEE Access, vol. 10, pp. 80609-80622, 2022. doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2022.3195497.
[2] I. Mousaviyan, S. G. Seifossadat, and M. Saniei, "A new and very fast fault detection and classification method based on traveling wave in transmission lines," International Journal of Industrial Electronics Control and Optimization, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 377-385, 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.22111/ieco.2021.38344.1348.
[3] Q. Wang, X. Liang, Y. Shen, S. Liu, Z. Zuo, and Y. Gao, "Lightning flashover characteristics of a full-scale AC 500 kV transmission tower with composite cross arms," Engineering, vol. 23, pp. 130-137, 2023.
[4] W. Qian et al., "Mono-pole blocking accident analysis caused by inaccurate measurement of optical CT in±800 kV UHVDC transmission system under lightning strike," Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 239, p. 111212, 2025. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2024.111212.
[5] S. Mpanga, A. Zulu, M. Mwanza, and R. L. Holle, "Spatial and temporal variation of Zambia lightning for designing lightning protection of infrastructure," Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 229, p. 110188, 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2024.110188.
[6] B. RAHEEM, E. Ogbuju, and F. Oladipo, "Development of a Lightning Prediction Model Using Machine Learning Algorithm: Survey," Journal of Applied Artificial Intelligence, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 45–56-45–56, 2023. doi: https://doi.org/10.48185/jaai.v4i1.727.
[7] I. M. Y. Negara, D. Fahmi, D. A. Asfani, I. S. Hernanda, R. B. Pratama, and A. B. Ksatria, "Investigation and improvement of standard external lightning protection system: Industrial case study," Energies, vol. 14, no. 14, p. 4118, 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/en14144118.
[8] A. Ozdemir and S. Ilhan, "Experimental performance analysis of conventional and non-conventional lightning protection systems–preliminary results," Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 216, p. 109080, 2023. https://doi.org/10.12973/ijem.6.2.259.
[9] K. Sobolewski and E. Sobieska, "Analysis of the effectiveness of lightning and surge protection in a large solar farm," Archives of Electrical Engineering, vol. 71, no. 2, 2022 doi: https://doi.org/10.24425/aee.2022.140726.
[10] M. Gonçalves, E. da Costa, A. Andrade, V. Brito, G. Lira, and G. Xavier, "Grounding system models for electric current impulse," Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 177, p. 105981, 2019.doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2019.105981.
[11] A. K. Mishra, N. Nagaoka, and A. Ametani, "A genetic algorithm approach for modeling a grounding electrode," IEEJ Transactions on Power and Energy, vol. 125, no. 8, pp. 816-821, 2005. doi: https://doi.org/10.1541/ieejpes.125.816.
[12] S. He et al., "Intelligent prediction of 110kV insulator lightning flashover criteria based on random forest," Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 232, p. 110423, 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2024.110423.
[13] H. R. Sezavar and S. Hasanzadeh, "Artificial Intelligence for Assessing Composite Insulator Pollution Level: A Study on Partial Discharge Characteristics," International Journal of Industrial Electronics Control and Optimization, 2025. doi: https://doi.org/ 10.22111/ieco.2025.51554.1680
[14] J. M. Martínez, E. M. N. Angarita, J. R. N. Alvarez, M. H. Crespo, and P. J. F. Pertuz, "Lightning rod system: mathematical analysis using the rolling sphere method," International Journal of Power Electronics and Drive Systems (IJPEDS), vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 2829-2838, 2022. doi: https://doi.org/10.11591/ijpeds.v13.i1.pp237-246.
[15] M. Alves et al., "An automated technique and decision support system for lightning early warning," International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 2289-2304, 2025 .doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-024-05693-7.
[16] R. Bao, Y. Zhang, B. J. Ma, Z. Zhang, and Z. He, "An artificial neural network for lightning prediction based on atmospheric electric field observations," Remote Sensing, vol. 14, no. 17, p. 4131, 2022. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14174131.
[17] M. Bhosale, P. B. Karandikar, V. Karkaria, and N. R. hKulkarni, "A novel approach for grounding resistance estimation," Indones. J. Electr. Eng. Comput. Sci, vol. 27, p. 583, 2022. doi: https://doi.org/10.11591/ijeecs.v27.i2.pp583-591.
[18] K. Mehranzamir, Z. Abdul-Malek, H. N. Afrouzi, S. V. Mashak, C.-l. Wooi, and R. Zarei, "Artificial neural network application in an implemented lightning locating system," Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, vol. 210,p.105437,2020.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2020.105437.
[19] C. Wang, X. Zhang, H. Yang, J. Guo, J. Xu, and Z. Sun, "Application research of convolutional neural network and its optimization in lightning electric field waveform recognition," Scientific Reports, vol. 15, no. 1, p. 1883, 2025. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85473-6
[20] R. Rohana, S. Hardi, N. Nasaruddin, Y. Away, and A. Novandri, "Multi-Stage ANN Model for Optimizing the Configuration of External Lightning Protection and Grounding Systems," Energies, vol. 17, no. 18, p. 4673, 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17184673.
[21] S. Kumar, G. Singh, and N. Ahamad, "Performance of 5 Years of ESE Lightning Protection System," in Clean and Renewable Energy Production, 2024, pp. 247-265. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394174805.ch10
[22] M. Parhamfar, R. Naderi, and I. Sadeghkhani, "Risk assessment, lightning protection, and earthing system design for photovoltaic power plants: A case study of utility-scale solar farm in Iran," Solar Energy Advances, vol. 5, p. 100098, 2025/01/01/ 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seja.2025.100098.
[23] J.-W. Tang, V. Cooray, C.-L. Wooi, M. Z. A. Ab Kadir, W.- S. Tan, and H. N. Afrouzi, "Optimization of Lightning Protection System Using Multi-Objective Optimization Techniques," in ICLP 2024; 37th International Conference on Lightning Protection, 2024, pp. 620-625: VDE. doi : https://doi.org/10.1109/ICPEI61831.2024.10748622
[24] M. Nassereddine, H. Ahmed, E. Barbulescu, J. Rizk, A. Hellany, and M. Nagrial, "Direct Lightning Protection for PV Systems; A Novel Approach to Eliminate Shading Effects," in 2024 International Conference on Electrical, Computer and Energy Technologies (ICECET, 2024, pp. 1-6: IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/icecet61485.2024.10698474.
[25] N. Rodrueang, S. Woothipatanapan, N. Charlangsut, P. Ngamprasert, N. Ruangsap, and N. Rugthaicharoencheep, "Risk Assessment of the Lightning Protection System for Hybrid Solar Power Generation Rooftop System on the Factory Using the FMECA Technique," in 2024 International Conference on Power, Energy and Innovations (ICPEI), 2024, pp. 167-172: IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICPEI61831.2024.10748622
[26] M. Nassereddine, "A novel lightning mast layout to eliminate shading effect on PV panels," Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 236, p. 110972, 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2024.110972.
[27] Negara, I. Made Yulistya, et al. "Investigation and improvement of standard external lightning protection system: Industrial case study." Energies 14.14 (2021): 4118. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/en14144118.
[28] V. P. Androvitsaneas, I. F. Gonos, and I. A. Stathopulos, "Research and applications of ground enhancing compounds in grounding systems," IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution, vol. 11, no. 13, pp. 3195-3201, 2017. doi: https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-gtd.2017.0233.
[29] M. Wahba, M. Abdel-Salam, M. Nayel, and H. A. Ziedan, "Experimental characterization of contact resistance of desert soil with waste-enhancement materials in grounding systems," Results in Engineering, vol. 23, p. 102707, 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2024.102707.
[30] O. Kherif, S. Robson, H. Griffiths, N. Harid, D. Thorpe, and A. Haddad, "On the high frequency performance of vertical ground electrodes and LRM application," IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility, 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/temc.2024.3435788.
[31] L. Neamţ, O. Chiver, C. Barz, C. Costea, and Z. Erdei, "Considerations about power system grounding for different soil structure," in 2014 International Conference and Exposition on Electrical and Power Engineering (EPE), 2014, pp. 1034-1038: IEEE. doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/icepe.2014.6970066.
[32] B. Kermani and R. Shariatinasab, "Protection of Photovoltaic Systems Against Direct Lightning Strokes," IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1109/tpwrd.2024.3494053.
[33] R. De Franco et al., "Monitoring the saltwater intrusion by time lapse electrical resistivity tomography: The Chioggia test site (Venice Lagoon, Italy)," Journal of Applied Geophysics, vol. 69, no. 3-4, pp. 117-130, 2009. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2009.08.004.
[34] P. against Lightning-Part, "3: Physical damage to structures and life hazard," International Electro-technical Commission. IEC, pp. 62305-3, 2010. doi: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203805305.
[35] P. K. Samaras et al., "Evaluation of the electric stress on an Insulating down-conductor caused by lightning strikes through ATP-EMTP simulations," IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 2024. doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/tia.2024.3429472.
[36] A. G. Martins-Britto, C. M. Moraes, and F. V. Lopes, "Transient electromagnetic interferences between a power line and a pipeline due to a lightning discharge: An EMTPbased approach," Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 197, p. 107321, 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2021.107321.
[37] B. Huang and J. Wang, "Applications of physics-informed neural networks in power systems-a review," IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, vol. 38, no. 1, pp. 572-588, 2022. doi: https://doi.org/ 10.1109/TPWRS.2022.3162473
[38] R. Labib, "Utilizing physics-informed neural networks to advance daylighting simulations in buildings," Journal of Building Engineering, vol. 100, p. 111726, 2025. doi:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.111726.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.111726.
[39] L. Zhang, Z. Zhang, S. Fang and A. S. Bretas, "An Optimization Model for Distribution Networks Lightning Protection System Design: a Reliability Indexes and Costbased Solution," 2020 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM), Montreal, QC, Canada, 2020, pp. 1-5, doi: 10.1109/PESGM41954.2020.9281988.
[40] N. Fahimi, H. Sezavar, and A. Shayegani-Akmal, "Flashover prediction of polymer insulators based on dynamic modeling of pollution layer resistance using ANN," IEEE Transactions on Dielectrics and Electrical Insulation, vol. 30, no. 1, pp. 122-130, 2022. doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/tdei.2022.3207452.
[41] N. Fahimi, H. R. Sezavar, and A. A. S. Akmal, "Dynamic modeling of flashover of polymer insulators under polluted conditions based on HGA-PSO algorithm," Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 205, p. 107728, 2022. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsr.2021.107728.
[42] M. R. Masoudi, M. Haghighi, and H. R. Sezavar, "Optimization of Energy Hub Performance Using the Improved Particle Swarm Optimization (IPSO) Algorithm for Integrated Energy Systems," in 2025 12th Iranian Conference on Renewable Energies and Distributed Generation (ICREDG), 2025, pp. 1-6: IEEE. doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/ICREDG66184.2025.10966138.
)