Typical Lightning Protection System for Wind Turbines [chapter]

Sokratis Pastromas, Ioannis Naxakis, Eleftheria Pyrgioti
2016 Engineering and industry  
Wind turbines are tall structures with heights exceeding 120m. They are usually installed on high altitudes or isolated areas. In these areas, lightning activity could be high and the installation conditions wind turbines are vulnerable to lightning strikes. Furthermore, these areas do not have ideal soil conditions and the efficiency of wind turbine lightning protection system (LPS) can be affected. Additionally, the LPS shall be compatible with IEC61400-24 as minimum; furthermore, the
more » ... system shall keep step and touch voltages within the limits defined in IEEE80-2000. Considering the high amounts of wind turbines installed annually and also the limited project time-schedules, it is needed to have a typical LPS for wind turbines that complies with the relevant standards; based on this, wind turbines are armoured against lightning strikes. In case of non-effective LPS, damages can be caused in vital wind turbine components like blades which can lead to downtime and loss of energy production. This paper will present a typical LPS for wind turbines. This system can be applied in every site condition up to a pre-defined level, provided that it respects local legislation and can protect the structure in a reliable way. This proposal does not replace the site specific design of LPS but can be used as basis for further adaption in local conditions.
doi:10.22618/tp.ei.20163.389016 fatcat:pwnbtgjodvcihbpawspjuokle4