2:15 PM - 2:30 PM
[MIS19-03] Real-time lightning 3D imaging and forecasting project in Malaysia for sustainable and reliable supply of energy and storm disaster early warning
Keywords:lightning discharge, Lightning observation, Electric charge distribution inside thundercloud, Artificial rocket triggered lightning
A joint research project “real-time lightning 3D imaging and forecasting project for sustainable and reliable supply of energy and storm disaster early warning” has been in progress as Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) program. Held in the coastal area of the Straits of Malacca in Malaysia, which suffers from serious lightning disasters with more than 200 lightning days per year, this research aims to contribute to disaster prevention by forecasting lightning strikes by constructing the world's highest lightning observation network.
This research project is to conduct the field campaigns associated with artificial rocket-triggered lightning (RTL) in the coastal area of the Straits of Malacca, where the thunderstorm activity is very high and there are many positive cloud-to-ground flashes that may damage electric, communication and other equipments. Measurements of radio waves in various frequency bands and high-energy radiations, and several Rogowski coils are set up surrounding the strike points. It is planned to realize an electromagnetic field observation network in VHF and LF bands to observe the entire progression of each lightning in detail in a wide area. 3D charge distribution in the thundercloud and the amounts of neutralized charges estimated from the information where the lightning discharge begins, how it progresses, and where it terminates. Then, it is examined by the lightning current waveform measured directly with the high structure and RTL. By comprehensively grasping the charge behavior in the air related to lightning discharge, it is possible to estimate the charge distribution in the cloud and to predict lightning strike. In addition, promoting the control of electric power equipment using IoT, and the early warning system of severe weather disasters to be implemented in the society. This project further researches on active and adaptive lightning resistance and protection as well as artificial trigged lightning technique.
This presentation reports on the progress of a five-year project after two years. Major observation equipment has been delivered to Malaysia, and nine sites for electromagnetic observations and one site for lightning current measurements have been prepared in the target area between Kuala Lumpur and Malacca. The installation of equipment and initial observations are underway. At two of the sites, rocket-triggered lightning (RTL) experiments will be conducted, along with high-energy radiation observations, high-speed video observations, and electric field measurements at these sites and their surroundings.
A charge estimation method for real-time 3D imaging of in-cloud charge distribution has been proposed, and its feasibility has been examined using past observation data. Efforts are also being made to implement this method in real-time, with promising prospects for realization. Additionally, RTL experiments were conducted in two winter seasons in Japan with Malaysian researchers, facilitating the transfer of lightning observation techniques. In 2024, the joint team successfully triggered lightning. Furthermore, leveraging advanced lightning information and IoT technology developed in this study, Japan and Malaysia are collaboratively developing a device to switch between commercial and backup power supplies. Prototype hardware has been produced, and performance verification is currently in progress.
This research project is to conduct the field campaigns associated with artificial rocket-triggered lightning (RTL) in the coastal area of the Straits of Malacca, where the thunderstorm activity is very high and there are many positive cloud-to-ground flashes that may damage electric, communication and other equipments. Measurements of radio waves in various frequency bands and high-energy radiations, and several Rogowski coils are set up surrounding the strike points. It is planned to realize an electromagnetic field observation network in VHF and LF bands to observe the entire progression of each lightning in detail in a wide area. 3D charge distribution in the thundercloud and the amounts of neutralized charges estimated from the information where the lightning discharge begins, how it progresses, and where it terminates. Then, it is examined by the lightning current waveform measured directly with the high structure and RTL. By comprehensively grasping the charge behavior in the air related to lightning discharge, it is possible to estimate the charge distribution in the cloud and to predict lightning strike. In addition, promoting the control of electric power equipment using IoT, and the early warning system of severe weather disasters to be implemented in the society. This project further researches on active and adaptive lightning resistance and protection as well as artificial trigged lightning technique.
This presentation reports on the progress of a five-year project after two years. Major observation equipment has been delivered to Malaysia, and nine sites for electromagnetic observations and one site for lightning current measurements have been prepared in the target area between Kuala Lumpur and Malacca. The installation of equipment and initial observations are underway. At two of the sites, rocket-triggered lightning (RTL) experiments will be conducted, along with high-energy radiation observations, high-speed video observations, and electric field measurements at these sites and their surroundings.
A charge estimation method for real-time 3D imaging of in-cloud charge distribution has been proposed, and its feasibility has been examined using past observation data. Efforts are also being made to implement this method in real-time, with promising prospects for realization. Additionally, RTL experiments were conducted in two winter seasons in Japan with Malaysian researchers, facilitating the transfer of lightning observation techniques. In 2024, the joint team successfully triggered lightning. Furthermore, leveraging advanced lightning information and IoT technology developed in this study, Japan and Malaysia are collaboratively developing a device to switch between commercial and backup power supplies. Prototype hardware has been produced, and performance verification is currently in progress.