LIGHTNING ATTACHMENT TO WIND TURBINES IN CENTRAL KANSAS: VIDEO OBSERVATIONS, CORRELATION WITH THE NLDN AND IN-SITU PEAK CURRENT MEASUREMENTS

Abstract

The behavior and effects of lightning to wind turbines were studied during a 3-month field campaign in northcentral Kansas, USA in summer 2012. Auto-trigger cameras were deployed around the wind farm and current measurement devices installed to the root of the turbine blades. Thunderstorms were monitored using the U.S. National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) data and electric field mills (EFMs) installed onsite at the wind farm.