Lightning Risk Assessment for Critical Infrastructure

How much risk is your facility actually carrying? Without a quantitative assessment, lightning protection decisions are based on assumptions — leading to either under-protection that leaves critical systems exposed, or over-investment in measures that don't deliver proportional risk reduction.

Aetheric's risk assessments replace guesswork with precision. We quantify the probability and consequences of lightning strikes, identify specific vulnerabilities, and demonstrate the economic justification for every recommended protection measure.

Risk assessment provides the analytical foundation for lightning protection system design. A quantitative approach ensures:

• Targeted, cost-effective solutions matched to each facility's specific exposure
• Measurable risk reduction that justifies protection investments
• Documentation for regulatory compliance, insurance discussions, and capex approval
• Due diligence evidence for safety management systems and asset integrity programmes

We use Skytree Scientific's LRA Plus platform — AI-powered calculations with real-time lightning location system (LLS) data for precise, standards-compliant analysis across IEC 62305-2, AS/NZS 1768:2021, and NFPA 780 Annex L.

Real-Time Lightning Data

The platform processes actual flash density and strike point data for your facility location — not outdated keraunic level metrics or regional averages. Historical strike data from ground-based detection networks provides precise local measurements.

Multi-Variable Risk Calculation

We evaluate four risk components defined by IEC 62305-2:

• R1 — Injury to living beings: Risk of death or injury in or near the structure
• R2 — Loss of service to the public: Disruption to power, water, and communications
• R3 — Loss of cultural heritage: Damage to irreplaceable assets
• R4 — Loss of economic value: Equipment damage, downtime, and financial loss

Each component factors in strike probability, damage probability (including existing SPD protection), and subsequent loss — enabling precise identification of dominant risk contributors.

Multiple data sources ensure assessment accuracy:

• Lightning data — historical strike data from ground-based detection networks
• Facility parameters — structural dimensions, materials, occupancy, and operational characteristics
• Equipment inventory — consequence analysis quantifying potential losses from failure scenarios
• Connected services — power lines, telecommunications, pipelines entering the facility

The assessment evaluates both direct strikes and indirect effects including strikes to connected services and nearby electromagnetic interference. Existing protection systems and SPD installations are quantified, allowing evaluation of various protection scenarios.

Regional variations and local authority requirements accommodated across Oceania, ASEAN, and MENA. Assessment documentation supports liability due diligence and capital expenditure justification.