CMCE technology protecting Indian industries from lightning

The technology offers advanced protection, reducing diverse impacts and promoting operational continuity and environmental safety.

Spokesperson: Timir Doshi, CMD, OM Technical Solutions LLP, India

What causes lightning, and which areas in India are more prone to lightning strikes?

Lightning is a discharge of atmospheric electricity that occurs when the electric fields in a thunderstorm become large enough to cause ionisation of the air, leading to a rapid release of energy in the form of a flash of light. Certain areas in India that are more prone to lightning strikes include the Gangetic plains (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal), central India (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand), the Deccan Plateau (Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh), and the Himalayan foothills (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh). These regions experience frequent thunderstorm activity during specific seasons due to geographic and climatic factors conducive to lightning formation. These areas experience frequent thunderstorms due to climatic conditions that support the formation of cumulonimbus clouds capable of generating lightning.

How does lightning affect industries and critical infrastructures in India?

Lightning strikes in India have profound impacts across various sectors like power systems, oil & gas industries, chemical industries, telecommunications infrastructure, and critical infrastructures (hospitals, airports, transportation networks). Lightning strikes on power transmission lines, substations, and power generation facilities can cause extensive equipment damage, leading to costly repairs and prolonged downtime. This disrupts the electricity supply, impacting industries, businesses, and households alike. Economic losses stem from reduced productivity, revenue loss, and expenses associated with restoring infrastructure. Furthermore, lightning-induced power outages can affect critical services and industrial operations, exacerbating economic impacts.

Lightning poses a significant risk to oil and gas facilities by potentially causing fires or explosions. These incidents result in substantial economic losses due to production shutdowns, repair costs for damaged equipment, and revenue loss. Environmental impacts include soil and water contamination from spills of crude oil or hazardous chemicals.

Lightning strikes on chemical plants can trigger fires or chemical releases, leading to equipment damage and production disruptions. The economic impact includes repair expenses, regulatory fines, and losses incurred from interrupted production. Environmentally, chemical spills can pollute air, soil, and water, posing risks to ecosystems and human health.

Lightning-induced surges can damage telecommunications infrastructure such as cell towers and data centres. This disrupts communication networks and services, affecting businesses reliant on uninterrupted connectivity. Economic losses accrue from repair and replacement costs, as well as revenue loss during service outages.

Lightning strikes on critical infrastructures can lead to service interruptions and operational delays. Economic impacts include additional operational costs, revenue loss from service disruptions, and inconvenience to passengers and users. While the direct environmental impact is minimal, delays in emergency services or transportation can indirectly affect environmental management and public safety.

How do lightning strikes impact the environment?

Lightning strikes have several environmental impacts and consequences, such as fires and habitat destruction, air quality, soil and water contamination, ozone production, and carbon cycling.

Lightning can ignite fires in forests, grasslands, and other natural habitats. These fires can spread rapidly, causing extensive damage to vegetation, wildlife habitats, and biodiversity. The loss of habitat due to fires can disrupt ecosystems and threaten the survival of wildlife species.

Lightning-induced fires release smoke, particulate matter, and pollutants into the air. This can lead to poor air quality, especially in nearby communities and urban areas. Smoke from fires can contain harmful chemicals and contribute to respiratory problems in humans and animals.

Lightning strikes can cause chemical spills and releases in industrial facilities, particularly in sectors like oil & gas and chemical industries. Spilled substances, such as crude oil and hazardous chemicals, can contaminate soil and water bodies, posing risks to ecosystems, agriculture, and human health.

Lightning generates ozone in the atmosphere through chemical reactions involving nitrogen oxides. While ozone is beneficial in the upper atmosphere, at ground level it can contribute to air pollution and respiratory issues, especially during thunderstorm events.

Lightning plays a role in the natural carbon cycle by contributing to the decomposition of organic matter through fires. However, excessive or intense lightning-induced fires can release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

What is CMCE technology, and how does it mitigate the impact of lightning strikes?

CMCE technology is an advanced lightning protection device designed to neutralise atmospheric charge effects. It operates passively by balancing and de-ionising electric fields, thereby reducing the likelihood of lightning strikes causing damage to infrastructure. This proactive approach helps minimise economic losses associated with downtime, repair costs, and environmental impacts from incidents like fires or chemical spills.

What are the benefits of CMCE technology for industries in India?

CMCE technology offers significant benefits such as cost savings, operational continuity, and environmental protection. By preventing damage to infrastructure and equipment, CMCE devices reduce repair and replacement costs. They ensure the uninterrupted operation of critical services and production processes, maintaining productivity and revenue streams. Additionally, they prevent incidents such as fires and chemical spills, thereby safeguarding environmental quality and minimising ecological risks.

What are the unique technological advantages of CMCE technology?

CMCE technology represents a significant advancement in several key aspects, such as technical advantages, scalability, and coverage. CMCE technology actively balances and stabilises electric fields in the surrounding environment, thereby reducing the likelihood of lightning strikes altogether. CMCE devices operate continuously to neutralise atmospheric charge.

CMCE systems can cover larger areas and are adaptable to various structures and industries, providing comprehensive protection against lightning strikes from multiple directions. This device (with an additional Strom 7 system) offers remote real-time monitoring of the electric field and also has the functionality to measure temperature, atmospheric pressure, altitude, relative humidity, and electric pulses in the area (lightning).

How does CMCE technology mitigate risks and losses?

CMCE technology addresses key losses by preventing direct strikes, enhancing equipment protection, and reducing environmental impact. By stabilising and reducing electric fields, CMCE devices significantly lower the probability of lightning strikes hitting protected structures, thereby reducing the risk of physical damage and associated repair costs.

CMCE technology minimises the risk of transient overvoltages and currents induced by lightning strikes, protecting sensitive equipment and systems from damage.

By preventing direct lightning strikes and subsequent fires or chemical spills, CMCE technology contributes to environmental preservation and safety, mitigating the ecological and human health risks associated with industrial accidents.

Implementing advanced lightning protection technologies like CMCE is crucial for mitigating the economic and environmental impacts of lightning strikes across various industries in India. These measures protect infrastructure and assets and promote sustainable industrial practices and environmental stewardship.