1
|
Kursawe M, Kaifie A, Krabbe J, Kimpeler S, Kühn R, Kraus T, Jankowiak K. The role of the DC component in human perception of AC-DC hybrid electric fields and a comparison with the AC component. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16320. [PMID: 37770510 PMCID: PMC10539523 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43556-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
As part of the energy transition in Germany, high-voltage overhead power lines will be operated using hybrid systems that combine alternating and direct current (AC and DC). The degree to which humans perceive hybrid electric fields (EFs) is dependent on the proportion of both EF types. To investigate the impact of the DC component, a study assessed 49 participants with above-average EF detection ability under conditions with a low DC component of 1-4 kilovolts per meter (kV/m) and varying AC EFs between 1 and 14 kV/m. The detection thresholds of combined AC/DC EFs decreased with an increase in the DC component and ranged from 9.6 to 6.83 kV/m on average for the group. The results suggest that even minor variations in the DC component significantly affect human perception of hybrid EFs. These findings complement the results of an earlier study that investigated the AC component in hybrid EFs. Correlational analyses of both studies demonstrated the reliability of participants' performance. This study contributes to our understanding of EF-related effects on human perception and can aid in the planning of energy transmission near areas where humans work or live.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kursawe
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Andrea Kaifie
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Julia Krabbe
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Simon Kimpeler
- Institute for High Voltage Equipment and Grids, Digitalization and Power Economics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ralph Kühn
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kraus
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Jankowiak
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jankowiak K, Kaifie A, Krampert T, Kraus T, Kursawe M. The role of the AC component in human perception of AC-DC hybrid electric fields. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3391. [PMID: 35233049 PMCID: PMC8888694 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07388-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Electric energy is essential to today’s society. To cope with global higher demand while minimizing land use, efficient high voltage direct current (HVDC) power lines are planned to be mounted on existing alternating current (AC) structures leading to electric fields (EFs) from both AC and DC transmission lines in hybrid configurations. Due to the close proximity to residential areas, the investigation of human hybrid EF perception and underlying mechanisms will be useful to project permitting. To specify the influence of the AC component on the whole-body detection thresholds of hybrid EFs and to explore the lower bound of human hybrid EF perception, 51 participants with an EF detection ability above average were exposed in a double-blind laboratory study. A psychophysical method based on the signal detection theory was used. Very low EF strength combinations, e.g. 1 kV/m AC combined with 1 kV/m DC, were reliably perceived by at least one participant. Detection thresholds were significantly lower with increased AC EF strengths, underlining the key role of the AC component in the human perception of hybrid EFs. Findings will contribute to the assessment of public reaction to the perception of EFs around hybrid overhead power lines and to their optimal designs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Jankowiak
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Andrea Kaifie
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Krampert
- Institute for High Voltage Equipment and Grids, Digitalization and Power Economics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kraus
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.,Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Michael Kursawe
- Research Center for Bioelectromagnetic Interaction (femu), Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|