A study on overvoltages in wind tower due to direct lightning stroke

Lightning is one of the most serious problems for a wind turbine generator system. Direct lightning strokes to wind turbine generator systems sometimes cause serious damages. Power apparatuses and instruments in a wind tower as well as blades must be protected from the lightning from economical point of view. This paper discusses lightning overvoltages in apparatuses in a wind tower for direct lightning stroke to the tower. Simulations are carried out using the EMTP for such parameters as peak value of lightning current and grounding condition of metallic sheath of power cables in the tower.