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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Lightning hazard reduction at wind farms

Conference ·
OSTI ID:570058
 [1]
  1. National Lightning Safety Institute, Louisville, CO (United States)
The USA wind farm industry (WFI) largely is centered in low-lightning areas of the State of California. While some evidence of lightning incidents is reported here, the problem is not regarded as serious by most participants. The USA WFI now is moving eastward, into higher areas of lightning activity. The European WFI has had many years experience with lightning problems. One 1995 German study estimated that 80% of wind turbine insurance claims paid for damage compensation were caused by lightning strikes. The European and USA WFI have not adopted site criteria, design fundamentals, or certification techniques aimed at lightning safety. Sufficient evidence about lightning at wind farms is available to confirm that serious potential problems exist.
Research Organization:
American Wind Energy Association, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI ID:
570058
Report Number(s):
CONF-970608--PROC.; ON: DE98001975
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English