Analysis of Onshore and Offshore Wind Turbine Blades Damage Caused by Lightning

Wind power has become indispensable part of renewable energy for its efficient and economical power generation method. Meantime, the risk of lightning damage on the wind turbine blades is increasing with the increasing height and scale of the wind turbines This paper classified the lightning damages on the wind turbine blades into four types. Each type of the lightning damage is analyzed based on its mechanism. Three measures for lightning protection of the wind turbine blade including the installation of the diverter strips, are proposed. The results of this study will be helpful for the LPS design of the wind turbine blades.