TRANSIENT ANALYSIS ON WIND FARM SUFFERED FROM LIGHTNING

YASUDA Yoh
(1)
and FUNABASHI Toshihisa
(2)


(1) Kansai University, (2)Meidensha Corporation



ABSTRACT
Wind power generations are often struck by lightning because of its special shape of open-air and very-high
construction. Although some reports, e.g. IEC TR61400-24 and NREL SR-500-31115, indicate those accidents and the
problem, there seems to be room for more work to be done in this area. The authors, therefore, focus on and have
investigated surge analysis on wind farm connected to a power system. Under the conditions of several values of earth
impedance (considering its inductivity as well as resistivity) around thunderstruck wind turbine, sensitivity analysis was
performed using digital transient simulator ARENE. The result of the analysis shows that the surge propagating from
the thunderstruck wind turbine to the next one may become large depending on the conditions of earthing. The result
suggests possibilities of serious accidents to electric and electronics devices in wind farms due to surge propagation, as
well as direct lightning strikes.
Keywords: wind power generation, wind farm, lightning, earthing(grounding)


1. INTRODUCTION
Wind power generation is one of the fastest-growing
categories of the electric power industry. As its
installation has been explosively introduced worldwide,
the problems in the interconnection to the grid have been
brought up. Recently lightning protection of wind power
generation is surfacing into the public as an important
matter [1]. Especially Japan is suffering from frequent
and heavy lightning strikes, one of which is notorious as
winter lightning in costal areas of The Sea of Japan. It
is pointed out that wind power generation facilities tend
to be exposed to lightning damage due to their
configurations and it is considered that different
measures from the conventional electrical equipments
are necessary.

However, the surge propagation during lightning strikes
at wind power generation facilities is still far from being
clearly understood. It seems that each manufacturer of
wind power generators has accumulated on-site
know-how for analysis of lightning accidents and the
measures against them. However accident reports and
analysis studies are not much published in academic and
industrial societies, excepting in some foresighted studies
[2]. Their needs to further disclose information and make
discussions regarding these problems open.

According to the report IEC61400-24 [1], the most
frequent accident is dielectric breakdown on low-voltage
circuits including electric and telecommunication
equipments. The events on low-voltage circuits are not
triggered by only direct lightning strikes but also induced
lightning and back-flow surges propagating around wind
farms just after lightning strikes on other wind power
generators. In general, converter circuits and boost
transformers are set up in the very vicinity of or inside
windmill. Surge arresters may often take inverse function
from earth to the line if earth potential near transformers
is raised at the moment of lightning strikes. Therefore,
there is a possibility that the lightning current will flow
into distribution lines at the wind farms surged. The real
cases of lightning accidents at wind farms often see
dielectric breakdowns at wind turbines near or far from
thunderstruck turbines, not only at the thunderstruck
ones.

In this study, we analyse and discuss the general
tendency in lightning accidents at wind farms by
utilizing an ideal wind farm model including two wind
turbine for the analysis of lightning surges, The main
objective of this study is to grasp the cause of dielectric
breakdowns at non-thunderstruck wind turbine regarding
of the wind turbines earthing and location of lightning
strikes.

2. WIND FARM MODEL CONSISTING OF
TWO WIND TURBINES
Figures 1 and 2 show a wind farm model composed of
two wind power generators. This configuration is
assumed as an installation of wind farm on linear and
narrow land along seashore or on the ridge of mountains.
It was supposed in this model that a grid-interactive (6.6
kV / 66 kV) and two wind power generators, which are
identical with each other in performance and condition,
of the 1 MW class with 1 km intervals. The considerable
installation combination of those is twofold as shown as
Fig.2 (a) and (b), and the considerable cases of lightning
strike to wind turbine exist three sets, i.e. Case A1, A2,
and B, as illustrated in Fig.1.

Although a wind power generator consists of a gear box,
a synchronous of induction generator, a rectifier, a
3-phase inverter, and so on, we adopted a synchronous
machine model for simplicity. Boost transformer (660 V
/ 6.6 kV) for each wind turbine is equipped in the
vicinity or inside the wind tower and surge arresters are
attached to the primary and secondary terminals and
common-earthed, as shown in the detailed diagram in
Fig.3. We conducted sensitivity analysis with varying
parameters in an assumption that resistance is from 1 to
10 and inductance is from 0 to 10 H in lumped
constant.
It was assumed that the lightning strike is a standard
summer lightning of pulse height: 30 kA, crest width: 2
s, and wave-tail length: 70 s and it hits a blade of a
windmill and reaches into an earth electrode through
earthing wire and then boosts earth potential. In addition,
because what we want to see in this simulation is a
dielectric breakdown at not-thunderstruck wind turbines,
we assumed that blade burnout or explosive destruction
and dielectric breakdown at the thunderstruck wind
turbine had been avoided by certain measures. More
detail information for the models is shown in Table 1. In
the present investigation, we used ARENE digital power
system simulator [3], which has the same analysis
algorism as EMTP (Electro-Magnetic Transients
Program), for analysis work.

lightning
boost transformer
surge
arresters
grounding
resistance
wind tower #1
~
~
~
WT #1
Fig.3 Detail model for each wind turbine.
400
Fig.2 Model for surge analysis on wind farm with two wind turbines
grid-interactive
transformer
Infinite bus
wind farm grid system
50 km
boost
transformer
~
~
~
1 km
~
~
~
~
~
~
1 km 1 km 1 km
WT #1 WT #2 WT #2
detail model
(see Fig.3)
~
~
~
WT #1
(b) configuration of Case B (a) configuration of Case A
660 V
6.6 kV
66 kV
660 V 6.6 kV
Tr WT#2 WT#1 Tr WT#2 WT#1

Tr WT#2 WT#1

Fig.1 Considerable combination of wind farm installation and lightning strike.

Case A2 Case B Case A1
Table 1 Analysis Conditions.
Wind turbine (Synchronous Generator) model
rating power [MVA] 1.00
direct-axis reactance X
d
, X
d
, X
d
[p.u] 2.00, 0.25, 0.20
quadrature-axis reactance X
q
, X
q
, X
q
[p.u] 1.90, 0.50, 0.20
time constants T
do
, T
do
, T
qo
, T
qo
[s] 6.0, 0.03, 0.50, 0.06
Boost transformer model
connection method Y (neutral earthing) /
rating power [MVA] 1.0
rating voltage [V] 600 / 6,600
frequency [Hz] 60
% impedance [%] 2.48
mutual leakage inductance [mH] 18.2
Line Model
positive- / zero- phase resistance [/km] 0.00105 / 0.0210
positive- / zero- phase inductance [mH/km] 0.83556 / 2.50067
positive- / zero- phase capacitance [nF/km] 12.9445 / 6.4723
frequency-dependent characteristics available
3. RESULTS OF ANALYSES
3.1 Cases with resistive earth
Figure 4 displays the analysis results of Case A and B
under the assumption of earth resistance as 10 . In the
figures, graph (a), (b) and (c) in the Case A1 show a
lightning current waveform, three-phase voltage
waveforms at the output terminal of the boost
transformer for the thunderstruck wind turbine, and
propagated surge waveforms to the boost transformer for
the next non-thunderstruck turbine, respectively. As
shown in the waveforms, it is clear that the surge tends to
flow out through the surge arresters at thunderstruck
tower, which arresters reversely pass through back-flow
surge from common-earth to the power line, toward the
next non-thunderstruck wind tower.

Figure 4 also shows the result by another case, Case B
as shown in (d). Comparing two waveforms, the surge
altitude reached to the next tower in Case A is contained
almost half rower. Case B has the parallel configuration
in which the transformer is installed in the centre of two
wind turbines. In the parallel configuration of wind farm,
the lightning surge may firstly reach the low-voltage
terminal of the grid-interactive transformer and flow into
another branch of line toward the next wind turbine. This
tendency is shown in the results under other consumption
of line length, e.g. 500 m, 200m. Consequently, the
reason is considered to the configuration of wind
turbines and the grid-interactive inverter.

Summerising above discussions, Figs.5 and 6 are given
to clarify relationship between earth resistance and
tendency of the surge propagation. Firstly, it is evident
that less resistance of earthing would cause to less surge
damage both in thunderstruck and non-thunderstruck
wind turbine. Moreover, the results indicates that the
surge altitude in the thunderstruck wind turbine itself is
not much different among three cases, while the surge
reached to the non-thunderstruck turbine clearly depends
upon the configuration of wind farm. From the viewpoint
of the surge protection of direct lightning strike, Case
A2 and Case B are worse than Case A1, which means
that effective countermeasure for the wind turbine at the
end of branch line in wind farm are needed. Another
point of view on the back-flow surge accident, Case B is
rather safer than the other cases, that is, parallel-line
configuration in wind farm may avoid surges
concentration to the certain equipment. In any cases, it is
indisputable that the surge tends to concentrate the
turbine at end of branch lines. It is therefore suggested
0
10
20
30
-25
0
25
50
0.00 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20
Fig.4 Surge waveforms in wind farm.
(cases with resistive earth R
g
= 10 )
v
o
l
t
a
g
e

@
W
T
2
#

[
k
V
]
time [ms]
0
100
200
-25
0
25
50
v
o
l
t
a
g
e

@
W
T
1
#

[
k
V
]
c
u
r
r
e
n
t

[
k
A
]


v
o
l
t
a
g
e

@
W
T
2
#

[
k
V
]

phase a
phase b
phase c
(d)
(b)
(a)
(c)
Case A1
Case B

0 10 20 30 40 50
10
5
2
1
Case A1 (Lightning on WT#1)
Case B
Fig.5 Surge arising in thunderstruck wind turbine.
(cases with resistive earth)

e
a
r
t
h
i
n
g

r
e
s
i
s
t
a
n
c
e

[

]

surge altitude [kV]
Case A2 (Lightning on WT#2)
0 50 100 150 200 250
10
5
2
1
Case A1 (Lightning on WT#1)
Case B
Fig.6 Surge flowing into non-thunderstruck wind turbine.
(cases with resistive earth)


e
a
r
t
h
i
n
g

r
e
s
i
s
t
a
n
c
e

[

]

surge altitude [kV]
Case A2 (Lightning on WT#2)
that the grade and cost for lightning protection for each
wind turbine should be varied according to its
geometrical and electrical location.

3.2 Cases with inductive earth
Not only resistance, inductance also gives strong
influence to lightning protection of electrical equipment.
Existence of inductive factor in earth impedance may
cause unexpected surge and result to breakdown accident
even if the earth resistance has enough measured to be
lower than several ohms. Inductive earthing can have a
characteristic of typical impedance curve, where the
value rapidly crests under lightning invasion, and then it
draws slow decent curve and finally convergences to the
study value of resistance. It is known than inductive
earthing tends to be represented when mesh electrode or
long lateral electrode like a ling-shaped earthing are
used.

The results of the sensitivity analysis varying inductance
factor of the thunderstruck tower shown in Figs.7, 8 and

0 10
-1
10
0
10
1
0 10
-1
10
0
10
1
0 10
-1
10
0
10
1
0 10
-1
10
0
10
1
0 10
-1
10
0
10
1
0 10
-1
10
0
10
1
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
0 10
-1
10
0
10
1
0 10
-1
10
0
10
1
0
10
20
30
40
0
100
200
300
400
0 10
-1
10
0
10
1
Case A2
Fig.9 Surge flowing into grid-interactive transformer. (cases with inductive earth)
left: (a) Case A1(Lightning on WT#1), centre: (b) Case A2(Lightning on WT#2), right: (c) Case B

S
u
r
g
e

A
l
t
i
t
u
d
e

[
k
V
]

inductance [H]
Case B Case A1
inductance [H] inductance [H]
Surge when Rg0 = 10
Surge when Rg0 = 10
Surge when Rg0 = 10
Rg0 = 5
Rg0 = 2
Rg0 = 1
Case A2
Fig.7 Surge arising in thunderstruck wind turbine. (cases with inductive earth)
left: (a) Case A1(Lightning on WT#1), centre: (b) Case A2(Lightning on WT#2), right: (c) Case B

S
u
r
g
e

A
l
t
i
t
u
d
e

[
k
V
]

inductance [H]
Case B Case A1
inductance [H] inductance [H]
Surge when Rg0 = 10 Surge when Rg0 = 10
Surge when Rg0 = 10
Rg0 = 5
Rg0 = 2
Rg0 = 1
Case A2
Fig.8 Surge flowing into non-thunderstruck wind turbine. (cases with inductive earth)
left: (a) Case A1(Lightning on WT#1), centre: (b) Case A2(Lightning on WT#2), right: (c) Case B

S
u
r
g
e

A
l
t
i
t
u
d
e

[
k
V
]

inductance [H]
Case B Case A1
inductance [H] inductance [H]
Surge when Rg0 = 10
Surge when Rg0 = 10
Surge when Rg0 = 10
Rg0 = 5
Rg0 = 2
Rg0 = 1
Fig.10
9 delineate the above feature. The lateral thin line in each
graphs indicates the surge value when earth resistance is
assumed to be 10 and non-inductive. Comparing this
10- line, it is easily understood that existence of
inductive factor of only several H affects large surge
voltage as same as with higher resistance, even if it has
low steady resistance R
g0
of 1 . The reason is thought
that the impedance waveform of inductive earth responds
rapidly in very high frequency domain like a lightning
impulse. This phenomenon can be expressed in the
calculated impedance curve shown in Fig.10, which is
obtained as the quotient of simultaneous earth potential
and simultaneous current passing through the earth
electrode. More than 10- crest can be recognised in the
earth impedance curve in spite of only 1- steady
resistance.

In the viewpoint of comparison of wind farms
configuration, Case B (parallel arrangement of two
wind turbines centring around grid-interactive
transformer) is the safest to avoid back-flow surge
propagating, while Case A1 (cascade arrangement of
wind turbines and transformer) is relatively better as far
as direct surge protection. Concerning to the effect to
grid-interactive transformer and the outage grid, Case
A2 seems to be best. Thus, there is considerable
difference varying electrical arrangement of wind
turbines and lightning-strike location. This suggests
detail and careful design and analysis when a new wind
farm installed or adoptive surge protection devices are
connected to an existing wind farm.

4. CONCLUDING DISCUSSION
In this paper lightning surge analysis on an ideal wind
farm model consist of two wind turbines and a
grid-interactive transformer is performed for the purpose
of understanding the general tendency of propagating
surge in the wind farm. The sensitivity analyses with
varying parameters of wind farms configuration,
lightning-strike locations, resistance and inductance of
earth are calculated. From the result of analysis, the
following tendencies are confirmed;
(i) Less resistance of earth provides safer protection
for both direct thunderstruck and back-flow surge
propagating around the wind farm.
(ii) However, only a few inductance of no less than 10
H gives considerable effect to rise surge
propagation as same as with higher resistance.
(iii) Parallel arrangement is the safest from the
viewpoint of back-flow surge protection.
(iv) The wind turbine at the end of cascade branch line
tends to be suffered from larger surge in case of
both direct thunderstruck and invading back-flow
surge.
As concluding these discussions, it is necessary to
conduct more detailed analysis considering wind farms
arrangement and electrical location of wind turbines as
well as earth impedance. For example, if a new wind
farm is designed, electrically parallel arrangement of
wind turbines is recommended as possible as it can. Also,
if adoptive surge protection devices are being connected
to an existing wind farm, the wind turbine at the end of
cascade branch line should be measured preferentially.
We hope that an effective methodology will be
established for insulation coordination and lightning
protection for wind power generation and wind farm in
the not-so-distant future.

REFERENCES
1 Wind turbine generation systems 24: Lightning
protection, IEC Technical Report, TR61400-24,
2000.
2 B. McNiff: Wind Turbine Lightning Protection
Project 1999-2001, NREL Subcontractor Report,
SR-500-31115, 2002.
3 http://rdsoft.edf.fr/
AUTHORS ADDRESS
The first author can be contacted at;

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer
Science,
Kansai University
Yamate-cho 3-3-35, Suita City,
Osaka 564-8680,
JAPAN
email: yasuda@kansai-u.ac.jp

Fig.10 An example of waveforms in case with
inductive earth. (R
g
= 1 , L
g
= 10 H)
e
a
r
t
h

p
o
t
e
n
t
i
a
l

[
k
V
]

time [ms]
l
i
g
h
t
n
i
n
g

c
u
r
r
e
n
t

[
k
A
]

e
a
r
t
h

i
m
p
e
d
a
n
c
e

[

]

0
10
20
30
0
100
200
300
0
4
8
12
0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10