No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

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 earthing 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.

Abstract. The major renewable energy sources can be considered wind, solar, hydro, biomass, geothermal and tidal. The adaptation of more renewables in European Union (EU) lowers the dependence on fossil fuels while energy production is getting more sustainable. Wind energy is the significant contributor on achieving the committed EU 2020 goals while the penetration of wind power plants follows an increasing trend in annual basis. Wind turbines of power plants are usually installed on high altitude areas where wind conditions have been proved that wind is sufficient for such projects. The installation altitude usually exceeds 1000m causing these structures vulnerable to lightning strikes. The lightning activity of an area has to be considered once a wind power plant is going to be installed. Additionally a wind turbine has to be designed and manufactured according to relevant IEC standards and special attention has to be given to the components which are most vulnerable like the blades and the nacelle. In the current paper will be discussed the effect and the potential disturbances that a lightning strike can cause to a wind turbine and also basic protection measures will be presented which allow the wind turbine to be effectively protected against lightning strikes.