Lightning Damages of Wind Turbine Blades and Protection Methods of them

Abstract

The protection of wind turbine blades from lightning damages is increasingly important for an increase of wind power generation. This paper shows the manner of lightning damage of wind turbine blades and the difference between the blades made of various materials. Possible protection measures from lightning damages are shown for various types of wind turbine blades. Moreover we stress that protection of wind turbine blades from winter lightning damages is necessary for us to build wind power generators at the coast faced to the Sea of Japan.