Investigation of Lightning Shielding Distances Between Adjacent Wind Turbines Considering Upward Leader Development
Cai Li1,2, Fan Wenchao1,2, Yu Pengcheng1,2, Zhou Mi1,2, Wang Jianguo1,2
1. Engineering Research Center of Ministry of Education for Lightning Protection and Grounding Technology Wuhan 430072 China; 2. School of Electric Engineering and Automation Wuhan University Wuhan 430072 China
Abstract：Wind power is a rapidly developing renewable energy source; however, the unique size and location of wind turbines pose significant lightning threats to the safe and stable operation of wind farms. Unlike traditional stationary structures, wind turbines are more prone to initiating upward leaders at blade tips due to their rotational characteristics. Consequently, previous lightning protection models that neglected upward leaders may not be suitable for evaluating lightning protection in wind turbines. This study aims to establish a simulation model for wind turbines, utilizing upward and downward leader propagation models to compute the striking distance and analyze the lightning shielding effects and influencing factors in wind farms. A full-scale 3 MW wind turbine model is established with defined downward leader charge distribution, propagation speed, thundercloud charges, and simulation boundaries. The initiation and propagation of upward leaders are calculated and analyzed using a self-consistent leader inception and propagation model. Geometric factor is introduced to linearize the potential distribution in the streamer region to simplify computations. The simulation accounts for the effects of downward leader propagation, upward leader initiation and propagation, and leader connection. Results show that striking distances vary with downward leader offsets and blade rotation angles, as different scenarios affect upward leader propagation. Longer development times improve upward leader propagation, requiring more time for breakdown between upward and downward leaders when offsets occur. Larger blade rotation angles increase potential gradients at blade tips, leading to earlier upward leader initiation and longer development. Lightning shielding effects are analyzed based on striking distances. Shielding is weakest at a 90-degree blade rotation angle and slightly better at 30-degrees blade rotation angle. Environmental parameters, including atmospheric pressure and humidity, enhance shielding, while altitude reduces it. These findings highlight the importance of considering environmental factors in lightning protection designs for wind turbines.
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2024, Vol. 39 
