Cost plan for wind power lightning protection at communication base stations

How to protect a wind turbine from lightning?

In order to plan protection measures, it is advisable to subdi-vide the wind turbine into lightning protection zones (LPZs). The lightning protection system of a wind turbine protects two sub-systems which can only be found in wind turbines, namely the rotor blades and the mechanical drive train.

Do you need a feed-in compensation for lightning & surge damage?

The feed-in compensation must amortise the high investment costs within a few years, meaning that down-time caused by lightning and surge damage and the resulting repair costs must be avoided. For this reason, comprehensive lightning and surge protection measures are required.

What is a light-Ning protection level (LPL)?

The IEC 61400-24 (EN 61400-24) standard and GL 2010 guide-line recommend protecting all sub-components of the light-ning protection system of a wind turbine according to light-ning protection level (LPL) I unless a risk analysis demonstrates that a lower LPL is suficient.

Can lightning damage a wind turbine?

Several studies have shown that one must reckon with at least 10 di-rect lightning strikes to wind turbines in the multimegawatt range every year. The feed-in compensation must amortise the high investment costs within a few years, meaning that down-time caused by lightning and surge damage and the resulting repair costs must be avoided.

Which components can be integrated in a wind turbine LPs?

Natural components made of conductive materials which are permanently installed in / on a wind turbine and remain un-changed (e.g., lightning protection system of the rotor blades, bearings, mainframes, hybrid tower) may be integrated in the LPS.

What is an external lightning protection system (LPS)?

[[RUBATO]]̈ Earth-termination system consisting of a foundation earth electrode and a ring earth electrode The function of an external lightning protection system (LPS) is [&to intercept direct lightning strikes&] including lightning strikes to the tower of a wind turbine and to discharge the lightning current from the point of strike to the ground.