A first approach in modelling lightning effects on megawatt-class

The main aim of this study is to provide simulation models to evaluate lightning effects on wind turbines (WT). More than 1000 repair reports due to lightning strikes were registered in the scientific measurement and evaluation programme (WMEP) in Germany in the period from 1992 until 2002. Based on this information, a new methodology is proposed to model the components involved during a direct lightning strike on the WT by means of the simulation program ATP-EMTP. Modern WTs with heights of 60 m and rotor diameters above 40 m experiment over-voltages/currents effects due to travelling waves, which propagate along WT. This new methodology can be used as criteria to make a first approach of the lightning effects on different types of WTs (pitch or stall controlled).