Analysis of Lightning Generated Over-Voltages on Voltage Regulating Devices in Distribution System with Centralized Wind Turbine Generators

The effect of global warming is expected to increase the number of lightning strikes with the capacity to alter the operations of power lines and voltage regulating devices. This problem is exacerbated by the rapid proliferation of wind power generation in the distribution system, which increases the propagation of lightning strikes in the network. This paper presents the impact of lightning generated over-voltages on voltage regulating devices of the IEEE-34 feeder with utility-interactive centralized wind turbine generators (WTGs). Three deployment scenarios are considered: centralized WTG close to the feeder source, midpoint and end. Results show the occurrence of over-voltages and high fluctuations across the voltage regulators and fixed capacitors regardless of where the WTG is deployed. However, the WTG deployed closest to the feeder end resulted in higher over-voltages and fluctuations than the other two scenarios. This analysis is critical to network planners concerned about lightning protection and risk assessment.