Alberto, the more I learn about this, the better it sounds. Can I officially include you on the speakers list of the 2015 INMR Congress? I would title the paper and presentation “A Cost Effective and Simple Means of Mitigating Geomagnetic Induced Currents in Power Systems Using Arresters in the Transformer Neutral"

The utilization of surge arresters for GMD mitigation, in combination with a ground switch, brings in itself an innovative idea; the fact that the same arrester unit already used for protection can also be effectively used for GIC blocking, produces an unexpected outcome. Moreover, a minimal circuit having only two transformer neutral grounding branches, with no capacitors, resistors or power electronics that indeed works, is remarkable. I consider this invention one long-felt need solution to a known and difficult problem.

The absence of a capacitor in this concept is a notable departure which becomes unexpectedly original. It seems very novel the fact that you do not need compromising pivotal means, i.e. the capacitor, to achieve the key blocking objective. This invention with its simplicity; having only two neutral grounding components, in my opinion well qualifies as a remarkable disruptive technology for coping with a serious problem affecting electricity grid security.....

Dr. Orquin, we came across couple of your CIGRE publications on the GIC blocking device that makes use of surge arrester in parallel with a bypass switch and connected to neutral bus of the transformer. We found the idea very fascinating and ingenuous…

I find this surge-arrester GIC-mitigation concept elegant.

...Thanks for providing draft of your paper. Simplicity of your approach is really impressive and has a good chance for practical implementation. We are assessing possibility of using your device by conducting GIC flow studies and evaluating consequences of its use for relay protection, as well as transformers' internal insulation.