*wchang@ee.ccu.edu.

tw


On Lightning Study for Wind Generation System

G. W. Chang*, H. M. Huang, Y. T. Lin
Power Quality Research Laboratory, National Chung Cheng University
Taiwan
SUMMARY

With the increasing attention of energy and environmental issues worldwide, the
utilization of renewable energy has become more popular. Because of the advances of wind
generation technologies, the MW capacity and the height of a single wind turbine installation
have drastically increased. As a result, it is expected that modern wind turbines will be
exposed to more lightning strikes in the future. The lightning strike is an atmospheric
discharge of current. Every part of the wind turbine such as the blade, nacelle, and tower
could be the attachment point of a direct lightning strike. When the wind turbine is attacked
by the lightning, the process of lightning current flowing from the attachment to the ground
can damage equipments through the induced voltage and current in the internal loop of the
wind turbine. It not only reduces the efficiency of generation, but also degrades the system
reliability. Therefore, the protection of wind turbines from the lightning is of great
importance.
It is well known that ATP/EMTP is commonly used to study the transient phenomena in
the power system. This paper presents the use of ATP/EMTP to build a wind turbine model to
simulate and observe the transient phenomena associated with the lightning strikes occurred
on the wind turbine system. Several commonly seen methods for the assessment of the
lightning incidences to an offshore wind farm are also reviewed. Simulation results are then
reported and can be used to design an effective protection scheme for wind generation system
against lightning strikes.

KEYWORDS

Lightning strike, wind turbine, transients, protection system, lightning incidence



21, rue dArtois, F-75008 PARIS C4_302_2012 CIGRE 2012
http : //www.cigre.org
2

1. INTRODUCTION

Due to the increasing attention of energy and environmental protection issues in recent
years, as well as the international trend of smart grid deployment, the development of
renewable energy are highly in demand. Wind energy is one of the fastest growing generation
technologies and about 197 GW of capacity has been installed worldwide by the end of 2010
[1]. With the advances of wind power generation technology, the capacity and the height of
wind turbines are increasing. It is expected that modern wind turbines will be more exposed to
lightning strikes in the future. Also, under the offshore environment, the wind turbines are
always the highest buildings in the surrounding area. Both factors pose the wind turbines to be
easily struck by the lightning. As a result, the accurate simulation for associated lightning
attachment process becomes a great concern [2].
Traditionally, the risk assessment of wind turbines for lightning strikes is solely depending
on downward negative flashes and for onshore cases [3]. However, studies show that upward
flashes are often occurred at very tall structures [4]. This paper adopts ATP/EMTP to simulate
the wind turbine being attacked by lightning strikes. Based on the statistical probability
distributions of downward and upward negative lightning currents, this paper also reviewed
several assessment models for the wind turbines to estimate lightning incidences to an
offshore wind farm. By observing the simulation results, one not only understands the impacts
of capacitive and inductive induced voltages on the wind turbine system but also realizes the
effectiveness of different protection methods for the lightning current conduction.

2. MODELING AND SIMULATION OF WIND TURBINES AND INDUCED
VOLTAGES UNDER LIGHTNING STRIKING

It is useful to analyze the incidence of lightning strikes to the structure in the ground by
striking distance and attractive radius. In addition, these factors can determine a scope of
lightning protections by air terminals and shielding wires. Air terminals and shielding wires
are metallic elements that are able to emit a connecting upward discharge that contacts the
downward leader from the striking distance. Striking distance is associated with the potential
of downward leader and depends solely on the charge of downward leader. Therefore, the
striking distance is highly related to the lightning peak current.
The attractive radius can be used to define the side boundaries of a collective volume
within which lightning interception occurs and to estimate the potential number of strikes to
structures. The attractive radius depends on the parameters of the height of the structure and
the lightning peak current [5]. As shown in Fig. 1, the attractive radius may be defined as the
lateral distance of a leader from the lightning rod. If the downward leader has passed beyond
the attractive range of the lightning rod, it is only influenced by local topography on the
ground. In general, the attractive radius has a smaller magnitude than the corresponding
striking distance, though the striking distance can be used instead of the attractive radius if
only a rough approximation is required.
When the wind turbine is attacked by the lightning strike, the wind turbine tower, the
conductors of internal cables, and the metallic shielding layer of cables would generate
induced voltage and cause damages to equipments. The generation of induced voltage
includes both the inductive and capacitive ones. This paper investigates different methods and
paths for the lightning current conduction including both the grounding wire and the tower,
and then performs simulations and analyses of inductive and capacitive induced voltages as
lightning strikes are attached to the wind turbine. As shown in (1), the Heidler function is
widely used for the simulation of lightning currents [6]. In order to simulate the impact of
lightning current on the wind turbine, the 60kA8/20s lightning current is adopted for study.
3


Fig. 1. Striking distance and attractive radius [5].

2
/
1
1
0
] 1 ) / [(
) / (
) (
t
t
t
t
n
n
e
t
t
I t i
-

-
(1)
where I
0
is the lightning current peak value, n is the rising rate of the current,
1
and
2
are the
time constants of the current rising and dropping, respectively.
Figure 2 shows the model of inductive and capacitive coupling circuit of the wind turbine
structure subjected to the lightning strike. The model includes the lightning source, the tower
surge impedance, the cable surge impedance, and the capacitive and inductive coupling
components of the internal circuit of the wind turbine.

(a) (b)
Fig. 2. Illustrations of (a) the structure of wind turbine and its internal cables, (b) induced models of and internal
circuits and wind turbine structure subjected to the lightning strike.
2.1 Calculation of Coupling Capacitor between Internal Cable and Wind Tower
In Fig. 2, to calculate the distributed capacitive components between the metallic
shielding layer of the control cable and the tower, and between the metallic shielding layer
and the cable conductor, (2) can be used to calculate the two capacitances.
4


d
D
n
C
10
log
02413 . 0 r

(2)
where D is the equivalent diameter of the wind tower or the diameter of the metallic shielding
layer, d is the diameter of the cable conductor or the diameter of metallic shielding layer, and
is the associated dielectric constant.
2.2 Mutual Inductance between Internal Cables and Wind Tower
When the lightning current flows through the grounding wire of the tower, a large
magnetic field passing through the corresponding circuit would occur and the neighboring
circuit would produce induced voltages. The induced voltages can be measured through the
impedance Z, as shown in Fig. 3. The induced voltage measured by impedance Z is denoted
by U, as given in (3). The associated magnetic flux of cross-linkage can be represented by (4).
Then, the induced voltage of the loop becomes (5). Similarly, when the lightning current
flows through the tower, the metallic shielding layer and the cable conductor would produce
the induced voltage V
s
, V
n
and, V
c
shown in Fig. 2(b). To determine of these induced voltages,
Fig. 3(b) is used as an illustration, where the mutual inductance between the tower and the
cable is calculated by (6).

o

(a) (b)
Fig. 3. (a) Principle of electromagnetic coupling, and (b) mutual inductance between tower and cable.

dt
d
U
o

(3)

) ln(
2
0
d
w d
I l
-

r

o
(4)

dt
di
M
dt
di
d
w d
l U
-
) ln(
2
0
r

(5)

) ln(
2
0
d
w d
l M
-

r

(6)
In (3)-(6), o is the magnetic flux (Wb), U is the loop voltage (V),
0
is the absolute
magnetic inductivity (H/m), M is the mutual inductance of loop (H), l is the length of line (m),
5

d is a half of the wall thickness of wind tower structure (m), and w is the internal distance
between the cable and the tower (m).
3. ESTIMATION OF LIGHTNING INCIDENCE TO AN OFFSHORE WIND FARM
3.1 Lightning Discharge Types and Probability Distribution of Lightning Current
Based on the leader propagation and the direction, there are two basic types of lightning
flashes. The first is the downward flash (i.e. cloud-to-ground flash). The second is the upward
flash (i.e. ground-to-cloud flash). Downward and upward flashes can be classified as negative
and positive charges which depend on the polarity of the charge in the cloud from which the
leader is initiated or to which the leader propagates. Note that the polarity portion of the name
also denotes the resultant current to the ground. In general, most of lightning flashes are
negative polarity, statistics show that only 2 to 10% of total flashes are with positive polarity.
The most commonly seen type of lightning is the negative lightning downward flash,
where a leader filled with negative cloud charge pushes its way from the thunder cloud to the
ground. For structures having heights of less than 100 meters, approximately 85~95% of the
flashes are negative downward, the medium value of current is about 33kA. The negative
upward flashes usually occur for structures with heights being more than 100 meters. The
charge in the thundercloud causes the electric field on the surface of the earth is not sufficient
to emit an upward leader. However, the electric field is enhanced at mountain area or at tall
structures. At such locations the electric field strength may become large enough to initial an
upward leader. The peak values of current is about 10 kA and is relatively low compared to
the downward negative lightning current.
Lightning is stochastic nature phenomenon. According to Bergers data, the statistical
variation of lightning strike parameters can be approximated by a log-normal distribution, as
shown in (7) [3].

( )
2
/ ln
2
1
2
1
) (

o
o r
I I
e
I
I f

(7)
where f(I) is the probability density function, I is the median value, and is the standard
deviation of the lightning current.
The cumulative probability distribution of the first negative return strike current can be
estimated by (8) [7].

6 . 2
) 31 / ( 1
1
) (
I
I P
-

(8)
where P(I) is the probability that the current is equal to or greater than a lightning current, I.
The median value of the subsequent strike is lower than the first return strike. The
parameters of subsequent strike have been proposed by Eriksson: kA I 3 . 12 and 5296 . 0 o
[7]. The cumulative probability distribution of the subsequent negative strike current can be
estimated by (9). Figure 4 shows the cumulative probability distribution of the lightning
current.

7 . 2
) 12 / ( 1
1
) (
I
I P
-

(9)
6

The median value of the upward negative lightning is very similar to the subsequent
return strike current (about 8~12kA) [7]. Therefore, the parameter of the subsequent strike
current can be used instead of the upward negative current. The cumulative probability
distribution of the upward negative lightning current can be estimated from (9).
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
The cumulative probability distribution of lightning current
Lightning Current(kA)
P
r
o
b
a
b
i
l
i
t
y

First Negative Return Stroke Current
Subsequent Negative Return Stroke Currents

Fig. 4. The cumulative probability distribution of lightning current.
3.2 Calculation of Lightning Incidence
The attractive radius can be used to define the side boundaries of a collection volume
within which the lightning interception occurs and to estimate the potential number of strikes
to structures [2]. The attractive radius depends on the parameters of the height of the structure
and the lightning peak current, as shown in (10).

G F E
a
h I h R -

(10)
where R
a
is the attractive radius, h is the height of the shielding wire, I is the lightning peak
current, and the factors of E, F, G, and are given in [5]. The following reviews some
commonly used methods for estimating the number of lightning incidences.
3.2.1 Eriksson Method
For about 3000 flashes under study, Eriksson quoted (11) for the number of lightning
strikes per annum to a structure of height. In addition, for structure of height being greater
than 100 meters, the number of upward flashes per annum can be approximated by (12) [8].

6
10
05 . 2
24
-
H
g
N
s
N

(11)

9
10
53 . 3
3
-
H
g
N
u
N

(12)
where N
s
is the annual number of lightning strikes, N
g
is the ground flash density, N
u
is the
annual number of upward flashes, and H is the height of the structure.
3.2.2 Equivalent Attractive Area Method
The incidence of downward flashes can be expressed in terms of an equivalent attractive
(or collective) area, as shown in (13). For a freestanding structure, the attractive area is
expressed by (14) [8].


d
A
g
=N
s
N
(13)

6
10
2 -

a
R
d
A r
(14)

7

where A
d
is the attractive area and R
a
is the attractive radius.
Based on probability density function of (7), the attractive radius can be expressed as a
statistical quantity: Equivalent attractive radius R
eq
which depends on the structure height and
the lightning current amplitude, as shown in (15). The equivalent attractive area for a free-
standing structure can be obtained from (16). The number of lightning strikes per annum to
the structure is then calculated by (17) [8].

0
) ( ) , (
2
di i f h i
a
R
eq
R

(15)

0
) ( ) , (
2
di i f h i
a
R
eq
A r

(16)

6
10
-

eq
A
g
N
s
N

(17)
where R
eq
is the equivalent attractive radius and A
eq
is the equivalent attractive area.
3.2.3 IEC Standard 61400-24
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) suggests that the wind turbine is
modeled as a tall mast with a height that is equal to the hub height plus one rotor radius, the
equivalent attractive area being defined as a circle with a radius of three times of the turbine
height. Equation (18) is then used to estimate the number of lightning strikes per annum to a
wind turbine [9].

6
10
-

d
C
d
A
g
N
s
N (18)
where
2
9 h
d
A r is the equivalent attractive area, h is the effective height of the wind turbine,
C
d
is the environmental factor: C
d
=1 for flat land and C
d
=2 for a hill or a knoll.
Due to the wind turbine is with sharp edges and its height is larger than other structures in
the neighboring area, it is expected that modern wind turbines will be more exposed to
lightning strikes. Therefore, the number of lightning incidences to modern large offshore wind
turbines needs to be assessed. To estimate lightning incidences to the wind turbine, Table 1
lists equations of the suitable attractive radius for free-standing structures, where I is selected
as 31 kA for the lightning current.
Table 1. Suitable attractive radius equations for free-standing structure
Model Attractive radius R
a

Eriksson [5]
74 . 0 6 . 0
84 . 0 I h (19)
Petrov [10] ]
3 / 2
) 15 [( 56 . 0 I h - (20)
Petrov & Water [11]
3 / 2
] ) 15 [( 8 . 0 I h - (21)

Since the lightning phenomenon is stochastic, the attractive radius should be determined
based on possible upward and downward lightning flashes and is considered as a statistical
quantity, i.e. the equivalent attractive radius, R
eq
. The equivalent attractive radius can be
calculated by means of (15). Several reviewed models for the equivalent attractive radius are
listed in Table 2, where I is the median current and is the standard deviation of the natural
logarithm of the current amplitude. As suggested in [7], the values of 31 kA and 0.7368 for
downward negative lightning and 12.3 kA and 0.5296 for upward negative lightning are
chosen for I and , respectively.
8

Table 2. Equations of equivalent attractive radius for free-standing structures
Equivalent attractive radius R
eq

Model
Upward negative
lightning
Downward negative
lightning
Eriksson [5]
6 . 0
27 . 6 h (22)
6 . 0
3 . 14 h (25)
Petrov [10]
3 / 2
)] 15 [( 4 . 3 - h (23)
3 / 2
)] 15 [( 7 - h (26)
Petrov & Water [112]
3 / 2
)] 15 [( 8 . 4 - h (24)
3 / 2
)] 15 [( 05 . 10 - h (27)
4. RESULTS
All components of a wind turbine can be struck by the lightning randomly. In order to
show the impact of lightning voltage and current on the wind turbine, the transient simulation
tool, EMTP/ATP, is used to simulate the combined inductive and capacitive induced voltage
models for the wind turbine blades and tower under lightning strikes. In the study, the
analysis of the lightning current impact on cables within the wind tower with two protection
schemes (i.e. lightning discharge paths) at two different lightning attachment points is
performed. The scenarios of the two study cases are listed in Table 3. To assess the lightning
incidences to an offshore wind farm, the data of Nysted Offshore Wind Farm [12] is also used
to assess the accuracies of three reviewed models.
In the case study, a 60kA8/20s lightning current is adopted and the distributed model
is used to simulate the wind tower and the internal cables which are divided into five sections.
The wind tower is 100-meter in height. Also, the model includes the tower, the impedance of
internal cables, the earth capacitance of the tower, the coupling capacitances between the
internal cables, the mutual inductance between the internal cables, and the inductive coupling
voltage within the tower induced by the lightning current. Case 1 studies the transient
voltages and currents when the lightning hits the blade and the grounding wire conducts the
lightning current. Case 2 shows the case that the lightning hits the nacelle and the tower
conducts the lightning current. Figure 5 show the ATP circuits associated with the two cases.
Table 3. Study Cases

Lightning Attachment Point Lightning Discharge Path
Case 1 Blade Grounding wire
Case 2 Nacelle Tower

Fig. 5. ATP circuit models for (a) Case 1, (b) Case 2.
In both study cases, the resistances of the blade and the grounding wire are selected with
low values for the conduction of the lightning current. Figure 6 show the distribution of the
9

peak voltage and current as the lightning strike hits the blade and the lightning current is
discharged through the grounding wire. Figure 7 depicts the distribution of the peak voltage
and current as the lightning strike hits the tower and the lightning current is discharged
through the tower. In both Figs. 6 and 7, numbers 1 through 5 indicate the height of wind
turbine at 100m, 80m, 60m, 40m, and 20m, respectively. By observing Figs. 6 and 7, it is seen
that there is a large lightning current in the grounding wire to cause a significant induced
current in cables. When a lightning strike hits the nacelle and the tower conducts the lightning
current, it will cause a larger voltage in the tower because the resistance of the tower is larger
than that of the grounding wire.

(a) (b)
Fig. 6. (a) Distribution of peak voltage of positive polarity as the lightning strike hits the blade, (b) distribution
of peak current of negative polarity as the lightning strike hits the blade.

(a) (b)
Fig. 7. (a) Distribution of peak voltage of positive polarity as the lightning strike hits the top of the tower, (b)
distribution of peak current of negative polarity as the lightning strike hits the top of the tower.
10

According to the data collected from Nysted Offshore Wind Farm [12], the current
estimations of lightning incidence are based on downward negative lightning flashes. The
lightning incidence of upward lightning strikes is underestimated significantly. Thus these
models are suitable for onshore environment and low-height structure and are not appropriate
for offshore cases with tall structures. Theoretical numbers of lightning strikes compared with
the actual measured data from Nysted Wind Farm are listed in Table 4.
Table 4. Comparison of the reviewed methods and the measured data of [12]

Nysted Wind Farm
Wind Turbine Height: 110m
No. of Wind Turbine: 72
N
g
= 0.2~0.3 km
-2
yr
-1
T: 3 year

Number of strikes
of single wind turbine a year
Number of strikes
in wind farm a year
Number of strikes
in wind farm 3 years
Eriksson [5] 0.0918 6.6121 19.8363
IEC Std. 61400 [9] 0.0855 6.1581 18.4743
Measured Data [12] 0.5875 42.3 127
By observing Table 4, it is seen that Erikssons model and IEC Std. 61400 tends to
underestimate the results of lightning incidences in comparing with actual measured data in
the Nysted Wind Farm. For the offshore wind farm, it requires a more accurate assessment of
lightning incidence estimation.
5. CONCLUSIONS
This paper presents a lightning study for the transient assessment of the wind turbine.
Several models also have been reviewed to estimate lightning incidences to the offshore wind
farm. Simulation results have been reported and can be used to design an effective protection
scheme for the wind turbine system against lightning flashes. The main conclusions are
summarized as follows.
(1) When the tower of wind turbine is struck by the lightning, the large induced transient
voltage and current around tower could lead to a high risk of damages to equipments. The
ground wire and cables of the wind turbine system must have sufficient insulation to
prevent flashover due to the excessive voltage and current.
(2) Conventional approaches tend to underestimate the lightning incidences of the offshore
wind turbines and a further assessment is required.
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No. 41, July 1975, pp. 2337.
[4] C. A. Nucci, A Survey on CIGRE and IEEE Procedures for the Estimation of the
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th
International Symposium on Lightning Protection, Curitiba, Brazil, Nov.
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11

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