Early electric storm alert system improved
By placing sensors in several areas throughout the city of Medellín, Universidad Nacional de Colombia (UNal) researchers tested the effectiveness of a system adjusted to Colombian topography.Manizales, 22 de octubre de 2015 — Agencia de Noticias UN-
There are different kinds of lightning and electric field sensors to help detect the advent of thunderstorms. However in Colombia, a group of UNal-Medellín researchers is working on a more appropriate system for the Andean region, which has numerous mountains and distinct geography.
In the simulations carried out to test the model, “which takes into account the geographic accidents of the city, we discovered small mistakes in the range of 100 to 200 m (328 to 656 ft), in other words a minimum in incoming storm prediction,” said Alejandro Márquez, a Control Engineer with a PhD in Energy Systems Engineering.
The purpose of the project, recently showcased at the latest version of the UNal–Manizales Automation and Control event, contributes to the prevention system which can produce damages in buildings, electrical appliances as well as to the aeronautical sector, provoking flight delays or cancellations.
The project in its test stage, is currently working with sensors capable of measuring the climate in an electromagnetic field; then the information received is sent to a control center. “The idea behind the project is that through an organized network, along with the respective authorities and airport, hospitals, etc., information received by the sensors may be relayed amongst the network in just a few seconds,” said Márquez.
According to the Colombian Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies Institute (IDEAM, for its Spanish acronym) the country along with Venezuela has the most stormy region of the world (the Catatumbo area) which ranges from the Province of Santander to Lake Maracaibo. Furthermore, IDEAM describes three elements in order to understand the lightning phenomenon: One, the wind system (a climatic factor); two, the mountains (an orographic factor) and three, a factor which there is some evidence, although still in research, the presence of minerals in the subsoil.
“Currently existing early alerts are not very trustworthy, this is why we are working in obtaining a better system and therefore we continue to apply field models, which are products of equations,” said Márquez.
To implement the project they will need to have a communications network, sensors, a control room and servers.(Por: Fin/IJR/MLA/CA