Protecting wind turbines from lightning
November 2006
Electrical Power & Protection
Electrical power gained from the wind is becoming a well-established technique of alternative energy generation in many parts of the world. The risk for structures being hit by lightning grows in relation with the height of the structure. MW-wind turbines reach heights of up to 150 m with their blades and are therefore extremely at risk.
Dehn + Sohne's experience in the field of lightning protection covering several decades, as well as intensive worldwide research at wind turbines, have helped to develop concepts of approved lightning protection systems that drastically reduce lightning damage at blades, bearings and gear units. The use of these techniques means that downtime and resulting losses of generating capacities due to damage caused by lightning and related surges are reduced to a minimum.
The company offers approved products for the protection against lightning and over-voltage. Additionally, its laboratory provides engineering and test services for the optimisation of specific devices such as:
* Tests of customer-specific, pre-wired connection units for the protection of the electrical system.
* Performance of gearing units when subjected to lightning currents.
* Lightning current tests at inactive conductors and receptors of rotor blades.
"When earthing a wind turbine, the armouring of the tower should always be included, despite the risk of corrosion," says Paul van As at Surgetek, the local distributor. "The earthing of the tower base and the operation building should be interconnected by intermeshed earthing to obtain an extensive earth-termination system. In order to ensure effective personal protection, additional potential-controlling ring earth electrodes must be placed around the tower base."
For more information contact Paul van As, Surgetek, +27 (0) 11 792 1303/4/5, info@surgetek.co.za, www.surgetek.co.za
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