Transient Overvoltage Simulation on Wind Farm in Mongolia Under Lightning Strokes

Abstract

Direct lightning strokes on wind turbine blade is one of the reason that results in transient overvoltage of the electrical equipment. The previous researches have shown that transient overvoltage development which is effected by lightning current parameters could cause breakdowns in low voltage circuit and equipment. In recent years, Mongolia has built several wind farms in areas with high capacity of wind energy resources. However, there is still uncertainty in the behavior of lightning protection system, specifically on wind turbines located in high elevated areas with unavailable lightning parameters. Based on the literatures, the studies using PSCAD/EMTDC software are presented to model existing wind farm as a test set under the influence of peak current and waveforms. Existing WT’s was well protected from lightning, however the simulation showed that probable of lightning current with high amplitudes could produce transient overvoltage to the electrical components at the stricken tower and grounding system plays an important role for lightning protection.