Lightning protection of wind turbine blades

The causes of lightning damages of wind turbine blades were clarified through lightning observation and experiments using a high-voltage impulse generator. Upward leaders and large energy of winter lightning, which is frequent along the coast of the sea of Japan, play an important role upon lightning damages of wind turbine blades. Lightning discharges may penetrate into the cavity of a blade without lightning receptors, resulting in serious damages, such as an destruction and falling of a blade. Although lightning receptors are totally useful for lightning protection of wind turbine blades, they are not perfect.

► Lightning characteristics, which give important effects upon wind turbine blades, are shown especially for winter lightning. ► Experimental results related to lightning attachment to wind turbine blades are shown using a large impulse generator. ► Possible lightning protection measures for wind turbine blades are shown based on experimental results.