How to protect a wind turbine from lightning

Techniques for reducing the chances of lightning damage to wind turbines are discussed. The methods of providing a ground for a lightning strike are discussed. Then details are given on ways to protect electronic systems, generating and power equipment, blades, and mechanical components from direct and nearby lightning strikes

The 2018 revision of the standard IEC 61400-24 : lightning protection of wind turbines

The first edition of the standard IEC 61400-24, Wind Generator Systems-Part 24 Lightning Protection, was issued in June 2010, and the scope was to reflect the experiences and technical understanding of lightning protection of wind turbines by manufacturers, certification organizations, research institutes and universities. It presented background statistical information on lightning damage to wind turbines, and it provided guidance on lightning protection best practices. Since then, the wind power industry has further developed towards even larger onshore and offshore wind turbines and into a mature industry. This is the background for the current draft of the 2018 revision of the IEC 61400-24, which transforms the 2010 edition into an evolution of the previous issued standard based on improved technical experience and expertise.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Safety considerations in the design and operation of large wind turbines

The engineering and safety techniques used to assure the reliable and safe operation of large wind turbine generators utilizing the Mod 2 Wind Turbine System Program as an example is described. The techniques involve a careful definition of the wind turbine's natural and operating environments, use of proven structural design criteria and analysis techniques, an evaluation of potential failure modes and hazards, and use of a fail safe and redundant component engineering philosophy. The role of an effective quality assurance program, tailored to specific hardware criticality, and the checkout and validation program developed to assure system integrity are described

Overview of lightning interaction and damages to wind turbines

It is well known that tall structures such as telecommunication towers can be exposed to numerous lightning incidence. Wind turbines are in this group, but two particular characteristics distinguish wind turbines from the rest. The first peculiarity is that a substantial part of the structure is rotating. That corresponds to the rotor blades. The second, is also related to the rotor blades and corresponds to the intensive use of composite materials. Due to these two factors, protection against lightning requests very special attention.Postprint (author's final draft

Global distribution of winter lightning: a threat to wind turbines and aircraft

Lightning is one of the major threats to multi-megawatt wind turbines and a concern for modern aircraft due to the use of lightweight composite materials. Both wind turbines and aircraft can initiate lightning, and very favorable conditions for lightning initiation occur in winter thunderstorms. Moreover, winter thunderstorms are characterized by a relatively high production of very energetic lightning. This paper reviews the different types of lightning interactions and summarizes the well-known winter thunderstorm areas. Until now comprehensive maps of global distribution of winter lightning prevalence to be used for risk assessment have been unavailable. In this paper we present the global winter lightning activity for a period of 5 years. Using lightning location data and meteorological re-analysis data, six maps are created: annual winter lightning stroke density, seasonal variation of the winter lightning and the annual number of winter thunderstorm days. In the Northern Hemisphere, the maps confirmed Japan to be one of the most active regions but other areas such as the Mediterranean and the USA are active as well. In the Southern Hemisphere, Uruguay and surrounding area, the southwestern Indian Ocean and the Tasman Sea experience the highest activity. The maps provided here can be used in the development of a risk assessment.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Analysis and Assessment of Onshore and Offshore Wind Turbines Failures

The rapidly increasing energy demand and the inevitable negative effects on the environment caused by fossil-fuelled energy production have made renewable energy technologies increasingly important and preferred among the widely used energy sources during the last decades. Wind energy is one of the leading renewable energy technologies. Wind energy is a carbon-free, environmentally friendly and competitive technology. A step forward in production of wind energy is offshore and onshore wind turbines, with their numerous advantages. Today, the increasing energy needs make onshore and offshore wind turbine applications an increasingly widespread renewable energy source. However, with this change, challenges arise during the operation phases as being associated with the strength of the wind turbines. Potential failures must be known in advance so that they can be dealt with strongly and effectively in the design phase. Damages and failures have a negative effect on the continuation of the operation and cause material and economic impacts. In this paper, the findings from a collection of failure data are presented. The database is available on request. The novelty of this paper is to assess and analyse the damages to wind turbines onshore and offshore in order to reduce the risk of potential failures, damages and collapse of wind turbines. According to the results of these studies and analyses, the database of failures experienced is considered to represent the general failure rate in the industry. This paper brings solutions and suggestions for future studies by pointing out risks and the failure situations that wind turbines are exposed to. It can help innovative solutions with the presentation of a detailed view of risk and failure situations.publishedVersio

Winter lightning activity in specific global regions and implications to wind turbines and tall structures

The paper presents winter lightning maps on specific regions in the northern hemisphere. Four different degrees of winter lightning activity are defined based on information derived from Japanese case. Based on this reference case it is possible to determine regions where winter lightning can be a threat to specific structures. Guidance on risk assessment to tall structures and wind turbines are described as well.Preprin