Mahmoud Eshagh Ahmadi - Department of Electrical Engineering, Vahdat Institute of Higher Education, Torbat-e Jam, Iran
Mohamadjavad Shojaei - Department of Electrical Engineering, Vahdat Institute of Higher Education, Torbat-e Jam, Iran
Sobhan Youssefi Sourani - Department of Electrical Engineering, Vahdat Institute of Higher Education, Torbat-e Jam, Iran

Wind energy is one of the developing renewable energy resources in the world. Lightning strikes on power systems can cause dangerous overvoltages and serious damages to equipment. Statistics show that 4% to 8% of wind turbines in Europe are damaged by lightning phenomena in each year. Most of the wind turbines items that are damaged include control equipment, generators and blades. Effective lightning protection for wind turbines is very important because areas where wind turbines are installed have a high isochronous level. In addition, increasing use of this renewable energy requires high reliability and adequate protection. This paper addresses the effects of lightning on wind turbines and risk assessment of wind turbines in accordance with the standard protection procedures provided in IEC 61400-24. Then, the requirements for blade and nacelle protection of wind turbine and other components of wind turbine, its electrical systems and control against direct lightning strike are investigated by lightning-conducting air terminals with a down conductor path from tip to the tower grounding.

Direct lightning strike, Wind turbine, Wind turbine equipment.