The International Symposium on Lightning Protection (SIPDA) is a scientific eventorganized every two years that has as its main goal to contribute to the discussion anddissemination of innovations in lightning technology. It covers all lightning-related aspects, including lightning physics and characterization, measurements, modeling techniques, location systems, grounding, protection methods, and accidents and damages associated with the phenomenon.

A pioneer in Latin America, SIPDA is one of the most prestigious international conferences in the lightning field, being a reference for researchers and professionals. It provides an opportunity for researchers from all over the world to exchange information and experience in various areas related to lightning phenomena and their effects. The high standards achieved by the symposium are reflected in the continuous increase in itsprestige within the international scientific community. The symposium has been held in Latin America and Asia, and in 2025 it will take place in Europe (Greece) for the first time.

Since 2011 (XI SIPDA), all papers presented at the event have been published in the IEEEXplore database, as IEEE is the Technical Co-sponsor.

Since 2013 (XII SIPDA), the journal Electric Power Systems Research (EPSR) has published special issues containing extended versions of selected papers presented at the symposium.The SIPDA’s scope and history are presented below:

 

SCOPE

The aim of the Symposium is to present and discuss recent developments concerning lightning phenomena, modeling, and measurement techniques, as well as grounding and lightning protection. The main topics of the Symposium are:

1) Lightning physics and characteristics;

2) Lightning measurements;

3) Lightning electromagnetic fields;

4) Lightning detection and location systems;

5) Lightning nowcasting and warning systems;

6) Modeling of power system components for lightning studies;

7) Measurement, simulation, and analysis of lightning transients;

8) Lightning protection of power transmission systems;

9) Lightning protection of power distribution systems;

10) Lightning protection of power plants and substations;

11) Lightning protection of renewable energy systems;

12) Lightning protection of structures and installations;

13) Lightning protection of electronics, communication, and railway systems;

14) Surge protective devices;

15) Grounding for lightning protection;

16) Lightning protection testing and standardization;

17) Lightning-caused accidents and injuries;

18) Real-time lightning protection.

 

HISTORY

1988 – I SIPDA
21st to 25th November, 1988
Venue: Auditorium of Conventions and Conferences, University of São Paulo
São Paulo, Brazil
Participating countries (5): Brazil; Denmark; Japan; Sweden;

USA1992 – II SIPDA
28th June to 3rd July, 1992
Venue: Clube dos 500 Hotel e Resort
Guaratinguetá, Brazil
Participating countries (7): Brazil; Denmark; Germany; Italy; Poland; Switzerland;

USA1994 – III SIPDA
5th to 9th December, 1994
Venue: Rebouças Convention Center
São Paulo, Brazil
Participating countries (8): Brazil; Colombia; France; Germany; Poland; Portugal; Switzerland;

USA1997 – IV SIPDA
8th to 12th September, 1997
Venue: Engineering Institute
São Paulo, Brazil
Participating countries (9): Argentina; Australia; Brazil; Canada; Germany; Italy; Japan; Poland, and Portugal

1999 – V SIPDA
17th to 21st May, 1999
Venue: Civil Engineering Convention Center, University of São Paulo
São Paulo, Brazil
Participating countries (14): Argentina; Australia; Brazil; Canada; Colombia; France;Germany; Italy; Japan; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Switzerland, and the USA
(59 papers were selected and published)

2001 – VI SIPDA
19th to 23rd November, 2001
Venue: Parque Balneário Hotel Convention Center
Santos, Brazil
Participating countries (19): Argentina; Australia; Belgium; Brazil; Canada; Colombia;France; Germany; Italy; Japan; Malaysia; Poland; Portugal; Russia; Spain; Switzerland;Ukraine; United Kingdom, and the USA
(68 papers were selected and published)

2003 – VII SIPDA
17th to 21st November, 2003
Venue: Four Points Hotel by Sheraton Curitiba Convention Center
Curitiba, Brazil
Participating countries (17): Argentina; Austria; Belgium; Brazil; Canada; Colombia; France; Germany; Greece; Italy; Japan; Mexico; Poland; Russia; Slovenia; Switzerland,and the USA
(81 papers were selected and published)

2005 – VIII SIPDA
21st to 25th November, 2005
Venue: Caesar Park e Business Hotel Faria Lima Convention Center
São Paulo, Brazil
Participating countries (25): Argentina; Australia; Austria; Belgium; Brazil; Canada;China; Colombia; France; French Polynesia; Germany; India; Italy; Japan; Macedonia; Malaysia; Mexico; Poland; Russia; Saudi Arabia; Sri Lanka; Sweden; Switzerland;Ukraine, and the USA
(120 papers were selected and published)

2007 – IX SIPDA
26th to 30th November, 2007
Venue: Rafain Palace Hotel and Convention Center
Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
Participating countries (24): Argentina; Austria; Belgium; Brazil; Canada; Colombia; Croatia; France; Georgia; Germany; Italy; Japan; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Russia; South Africa; Spain; Sri Lanka; Sweden; Switzerland; Tanzania; Ukraine, and the USA
(98 papers were selected and published)

2009 – X SIPDA
9th to 13th November, 2009
Venue: Estação Embratel & Convention Center
Curitiba, Brazil
Participating countries (19): Argentina; Austria; Belgium; Brazil; Canada; Colombia; Denmark; France; Germany; Italy; Japan; Mexico; Poland; Russia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; the USA, and Venezuela
(96 papers were selected and published)

2011 – XI SIPDA
3rd to 7th October, 2011
Venue: Ponta Mar Hotel
Fortaleza, Brazil
Participating countries (20): Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China,Colombia, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the USA, and Venezuela
(74 papers were selected and published)

2013 – XII SIPDA
7th to 11th October, 2013
Venue: Dayrell Hotel
Belo Horizonte, Brazil
Participating countries (20): Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, South Africa,Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, the USA, and Venezuela.
(87 papers were selected and published)

2015 – XIII SIPDA
28th September – 2nd October, 2015
Venue: Mercure Camboriu Hotel
Balneário Camboriú, Brazil
Participating countries (21): Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Colômbia,Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka,Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, and the USA.
(78 papers were selected and published)

2017 – XIV SIPDA
2nd to 6th October, 2017
Venue: eSuites Vila do Mar
Natal, Brazil
Participating countries (17): Sweden, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Italy, Russia, Germany,USA, Sri Lanka, Austria, France, China, Argentina, Portugal, Switzerland, Colombia, andSouth Africa.
(86 papers were selected and published)

2019 – XV SIPDA
30th September – 4th October, 2019
Venue: Institute of Energy and Environment - IEE/USP
São Paulo, Brazil
Participating countries (29): Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China,Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan,Malaysia, Nigeria, Peru, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden,Switzerland, the USA, Uganda, and Venezuela
(94 papers were selected and published)

2021 – XVI SIPDA (ICLP-SIPDA were organized jointly)
20th to 26th September, 2021
Venue: the conference was held online
University of Colombo. Colombo, Sri Lanka
(150 papers were selected and published)

2023 –XVII SIPDA (CIGRE ICLPS-SIPDA)
9th to 13th October, 2023
Venue: Suzhou Shishan International Convention Center
Suzhou, China
(93 papers were selected and published)

2025 –XVIII SIPDA
21st to 26th September, 2025
Thessaloniki, Greece