The VII Russian Conference on Lightning Protection

On 11 and 12 May 2022, the CIGRE National Study Committee D1 ‘Materials and Emerging Test Techniques’ took part in the VII Russian Conference on Lightning Protection in St. Petersburg.

The Russian Conference on Lightning Protection

The Russian Conference on Lightning Protection is an effective and authoritative platform for the exchange of views and discussion of existing issues of protection against the effects of lightning, a professional forum in the field of lightning physics and lightning protection. The conference is attended by leading domestic and foreign researchers, world-renowned scientists studying the nature of thunderstorms and the latest methods of lightning protection, representatives of the leading Russian power grid companies, oil and gas industry specialists, equipment designers and manufacturers, as well as foreign experts interested in cooperation and studying the experience of Russian colleagues. The organizer of the event is Streamer Electric AG, the largest developer and manufacturer of lightning protection devices for electrical networks in Russia. The conference takes place every two years.

The CIGRE National Study Committee D1 ‘Materials and Emerging Test Techniques’ (CIGRE NSC D1)

The CIGRE National Study Committee D1 ‘Materials and Emerging Test Techniques’ (CIGRE NSC D1) was created on the basis of Izolyator Production Complex (Massa LLC), which is a part of Izolyator Group, as a regular collegial body reporting to the Technical Committee of the Russian National Committee of CIGRE. The CIGRE NSC D1 deals with theoretic research in electric insulating materials application in high-voltage equipment. In accordance with agreement No. 12-23 of 11 February 2016, Massa LLC was granted the status of the Leading Scientific and Technical Partner of Russian National Committee of CIGRE with the possibility of extending the agreement every five years. Head of the Izolyator Group, CIGRE Study Committee D1 Regular Member Dr., Prof. Alexander Slavinsky heads the CIGRE NSC D1.

From year to year, the Organizing Committee of the event receives support from the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Rosseti Group and Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

First Deputy Director General and Chief Engineer of the Rosseti Group Andrey Mayorov addressed the conference participants with a welcoming speech.

The VII Russian Conference on Lightning Protection
First Deputy Director General and Chief Engineer of the Rosseti Group Andrey Mayorov is addressing the conference participants with a welcoming speech

CEO of Streamer Electric AG Ivan Zhitenev acted as the chairman of the organizing committee of the conference.

The VII Russian Conference on Lightning Protection
Opening remarks by CEO of Streamer Electric AG, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the VII Russian Conference on Lightning Protection Ivan Zhitenev

The CIGRE NSC D1 was represented at the conference by the Head of the Department for Monitoring and Managing the Transformer Equipment Condition of the Streamer Electric AG, Member of the CIGRE National Study Committee D1 Dr. Svetlana Vysogorets.

The VII Russian Conference on Lightning Protection
Work of the VII Russian Conference on Lightning Protection in St. Petersburg

The topics and, accordingly, the work of the conference were divided into four sections:

  • physics of lightning and characteristics of lightning activity, patterns of lightning orientation and susceptibility of ground objects, active control actions on lightning;
  • lightning protection of power facilities and experience in its operation;
  • means of lightning protection: lightning rods, protective devices, grounding devices, insulation;
  • secondary manifestations of terrestrial and intercloud lightning discharges and means of protection against them, electromagnetic environment in conditions of thunderstorm activity and ensuring electromagnetic compatibility of equipment.

The VII Russian Conference on Lightning Protection
Conference participants share their discoveries in the field of the nature of thunderstorms and discuss effective innovative methods of lightning protection

The conference participants discussed how to minimize the consequences of lightning activity and how to protect infrastructure facilities. The focus was also on development, research and application of lightning protection means, secondary effects of lightning discharges, problems of the electromagnetic environment and electromagnetic compatibility, regulatory documents.

The material includes frames from the video recording of the VII Russian Conference on Lightning Protection, published on the Streamer Rus channel of the YouTube video hosting.