Wind Today - Q1 2008 - (Page 33)

T echnical Should Lightning Be A Concern For Wind Farms? What to Do to Minimize the Effect of Lightning on Operations This article is based on a presentation by Donald McKay, ORTECH Power, Mississauga, ON (905-822-4120), during CanWEA’s Conference & Trade Show, Sept. 30-Oct.3, in Quebec City, QC. The Canadian Lightning Detection Network monitors lightning flashes across Canada on an hour-by-hour basis. This allows meteorologists to detect and monitor thunderstorms at the earliest stage of their development. According to observations collected during the past five years by Environment Canada, lightning flashes occur in Canada about 2.7 million times a year. Approximately seven people are killed by lightning each year, and 60 to 70 people are seriously injured. Lightning is a serious concern to wind farm operators. The effects of lightning on operations can be minimized by careful consideration of vendor standards, site design, turbine design, and safety policies. Response No. 332 During planning, operators should determine how vendors meet lightning protection standards—on both wind turbines and the communication system—for the area they will be operating in. Transmission lines also need to be protected from lightning strikes. Turbines need to have good to excellent shielding, multiple level surge protectors, and adequate protection for people at the site. Turbine design should also include receptors close to the blades, turbine insulation, and good grounding. Site designers need to know the probabilities of a lighting strike. Consider sacrificial towers nearby or at high levels so the lightning would be more likely to strike them instead of the wind turbines. Protect operators and visitors to the wind farm with shelters equipped with surge protectors that are earthed and armed for a lightning strike. Early warning systems and training will prepare personnel to be alert and to evacuate dangerous areas when lightning is nearby. Response No. 331 33 http://www.hytorc.com http://www.hytorc.com http://www.hytorc.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Wind Today - Q1 2008

Wind Today - Q1 2008 Contents Windpower 2008 U.S. Energy Map Canada Energy Map Global Report Options and Expectations for O&M Service Providers O&M Safety Issues for Wind Farms Guanting Wind Farm to Power 2008 Olympics Operating Economics of Wind Farms Long-Term Operating Costs Post-Warranty Energy Bill Incentives May Have Another Chance Wind Gears: A Closer Look at the Drive Train Elk River Wind Farm Should Lightning Be A Concern For Wind Farms? Interview: Steve Sawyer Zephyr Powers Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort WT News: United States & Canada Interview: Willett Kempton Centennial Wind Energy WT Transmission: Southwest Power Pool EPA's Top 25 Wind Power Projects 2008 RPS Update Mark Scher, MSE Power Systems Richard Legault, Helimax Second Wind Henkels & McCoy NRG Systems Apterra Technologies, Inc. Wind Resource Maps: Michigan and New York Calendar Glossary Product Surveys Ad Index

Wind Today - Q1 2008

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