World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology

International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Vol:8, No:10, 2014

A Proper Design of Wind Turbine Grounding Systems

under Lightning
M. A. Abd-Allah, Mahmoud N. Ali, A. Said

has been struck but also the other turbines that have not. The
Abstract—Lightning protection systems (LPS) for wind power back-flow surge phenomenon has been defined as the surge
generation is becoming an important public issue. A serious damage flowing from a customer’s structure such as a communication
of blades, accidents where low-voltage and control circuit tower into the distribution line. High resistivity soil often
breakdowns are frequently occur in many wind farms. A grounding makes Surge Arresters (SAs) at tower earthing systems
system is one of the most important components required for
appropriate LPSs in wind turbines WTs. Proper design of a wind operate in reverse and allow backflow of surge current to the
turbine grounding system is demanding and several factors for the grid. The phenomenon of surge invasion from a wind turbine
International Science Index, Electrical and Computer Engineering Vol:8, No:10, 2014 waset.org/Publication/9999504

proper and effective implementation must taken into account. In this that is struck by lightning to the distribution line in a wind
paper proposed procedure of proper design of grounding systems for farm is quite similar to the case of “back-flow surge” [2].
a wind turbine was introduced. This procedure depends on measuring Due to significant influence on the wind farm behavior
of ground current of simulated wind farm under lightning taking into under lightning, a grounding system is one of the most
consideration the soil ionization. The procedure also includes the
Ground Potential Rise (GPR) and the voltage distributions at ground important components required for appropriate LPSs in WTs
surface level and Touch potential. In particular, the contribution of and wind farms. The design of a grounding system of a wind
mitigating techniques, such as rings, rods and the proposed design turbine is demanding and you need to take into account
were investigated. several factors for the proper and effective implementation [3].
In this paper proposed procedure for wind turbine grounding
Keywords—WTs, LPS, GPR, Grounding System, Mitigating systems design introduced with the help of the software
techniques. package CYMGRD and ATP-EMTP. Conventional and
proposed Grounding systems are compared in terms of ability
I. INTRODUCTION to reduce potentially hazardous touch voltages. To check

W ITH a rapid growth in wind power generation, lightning

hazard to wind turbines (WTs) has come to be regarded
with more attention. Due to their great height, distinctive
validity of proposed procedure for lightning protection
Computation, characteristics and hazards of back-flow surge
in wind farm are analyzed using onshore wind farm as an
shape, and exposed location, WTs are extremely vulnerable to example under Conventional and proposed Grounding system.
lightning stroke. After a WT is struck by lightning, high
lightning current flows through the WT and causes II. WIND TURBINE GROUNDING SYSTEM
considerable damage to electrical equipment inside the WT A typical grounding system of an individual wind turbine
structure and wind turbine nacelle results stop of the generator consists of a ring electrode installed around the foundation and
operation and probably expensive repairs [1]. bonded to the metal tower through the concrete foundations,
In order to decrease downtime, repairs and blade damaged. as can be seen in Fig. 1.
Protecting the blade is very important and well-designed
lightning protection is a necessity for this equipment so
Modern wind turbine blades are made of insulating materials
such as glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) as a common
material or wood epoxy. The lightning protection of wind
turbine blades can be classified as receptor, metallic cap, mesh
wire, and metallic conductor as reported in IEC-61400-24
standards.
In general, the problem of lightning protection of wind
turbine blades is to conduct the lightning current safely from
the attachment point on the blade to the hub and then to the
ground. Fig. 1 Typical wind turbine grounding layout [1]
However another serious problem known as "back-flow
surge" which not only causes damages to the wind turbine that Each individual turbine earthing system is required to have
an earth resistance of 10Ω or less, as specified in IEC 61024 –
1998 and TR61400-24, 2002 [1].
M. A. Abd-Allah, Professor Doctor, and Mahmoud N. Ali, lecturer, are
with the Faculty of Engineering at Shoubra, Benha University, Egypt. Vertical rods and additional horizontal electrodes are often
A. Said is Assistant Lecturer at Faculty of Engineering at Shoubra, Benha used in conjunction with the ring electrode to achieve this
University, Egypt, e-mail: ([email protected]).

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 8(10) 2014 1572 scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/9999504
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vol:8, No:10, 2014

value of earth resistance. Some alternative earthing TABLE I

DIFFERENT COMPONENTS OF WIND FARM AND SIMULATION MODELS
arrangements are shown in Fig. 2 [1].
Component Simulation Shape Data Used
Lightning I 51kA-2/631µs winter lightning in
Current H japans [2]

Synchronous Voltage (line rms) 0.660 [kV]

Generator- Y Rated power 1.0 [MVA]
Connected SM Leakage reactance 0.1 [H]
Frequency 60.0 [Hz]
Transformer Connection method Y / ∆ , Y / ∆
(Boost, Grid- Voltage (line rms) 0.660/6.6
Interactive) [kV], 66.0/6.6 [kV]
Fig. 2 Alternative grounding arrangements [4]-[6] Rated power 1.0 [MVA], 10.0
V [MVA]
As it is normal that varying types of electrodes are Y
International Science Index, Electrical and Computer Engineering Vol:8, No:10, 2014 waset.org/Publication/9999504

SAT
combined in practical use, it is difficult to estimate correctly a
grounding resistance value of an arbitrary electrode with a
complex shape. Under a lightning impulse, it is not
satisfactory to consider the steady value of the earth resistance Line Positive / zero phase inductance
only, it is also important to consider transient voltage [7]. So [mH/Km] 0.83556/2.50067
Positive / zero phase capacitance
numerical calculations including the Finite Element Method [nF/Km] 12.9445/6.4723
FEM in CYMGRD method are important to calculate the Surge Arresters 440kV SA with L1 and L0 are
grounding electrode and design an accurate grounding system equal 0.07µH [8], [9]

M OV

M OV
for LPS.

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVESTIGATED ONSHORE WIND FARM

Fig. 3 shows layout of onshore wind farm composed of two
identical wind power generators. Boost transformers for the Conventional Ring only#12 Diameter at 1
Grounding meter depth
generators are installed in vicinity of the wind turbine towers. System
All boost transformers are connected to the grid via grid-
interactive transformer by overhead distribution line. Surge
arresters are inserted to the primary and secondary sides of the
boost and grid-interactive transformers.
modeldef
MODEL
I
T

V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In this section an extensive analysis of various ground
systems for a wind turbine tower, 3m in diameter, with the
help of the software package CYMGRD was introduced. The
wind turbine is considered to have a grounding strip, of 3m
diameter galvanized copper buried at a depth of 0.5m. The
analysis is carried out with a maximum ground current of
1000A and soil resistivity of 100 Ohm-m. The analysis is
Fig. 3 Wind farm model [2] performed according to IEEE Std 80-2000 for a person
weighing of 70kg [10]. The analysis includes the
IV. MODELING OF THE ELECTRIC COMPONENTS OF THE reinforcement of the foundations of the grounding system,
ONSHORE WIND FARM USING ATP/EMTP which is a part of the system grounding. The ring geometry
In this section, the detailed high frequency modeling of the used is a round one and additional bars or additional ring at
electric components of the onshore wind farm using the greater depth can be used.
ATP/EMTP is demonstrated. These components include The conventional shape of grounding grid configuration is
Transmission line (TL), transformers, power system grid and considered, shown in Table I. With the given grid
surge arresters. Table I show different component and configuration, ground resistance (R) is determined to be 4.82
simulation models used in ATP/EMTP. Ω. GPR is 5000 V. Fig. 4 shows Potential distributions, the

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 8(10) 2014 1573 scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/9999504
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vol:8, No:10, 2014

touch, step and surface potential distributions along the For enhancing the design of the grounding grid, Two Rings
grounded area, from left-bottom corner to right-upper corner one has 12meter diameter at 1 meter depth, and the other has
of grounding grid design. It is clear that the maximum 16 meter diameter at 1.5 meter depth are used with additional
permissible touch potential can be as high as 255 Volt. four electrodes. Fig. 6 shows the maximum permissible touch
Step potential distribution is under maximum permissible potential, which it can be as high 255 Volt, step potential
step potential (355 Volt). On the other hand, the touch distribution is under maximum permissible step potential (355
potential in the site is not safe, because its value is higher than Volt). On the other hand, touch potential in the site is safe,
that of the maximum permissible touch potential. Fig. 5 gives because its value is lower than that of the maximum
a three-dimensional distribution of the touch potential. This permissible touch potential. Fig. 7 shows the three
figure shows that the site is in dangerous situation from the dimensional distribution of the touch potential. In this figure
view of touch potential. Therefore, the grounding grid design the site is safe from the touch potential view. Therefore, it can
must be improved. be observed that the proper design is achieved under 1000A
ground current can be take occurs.
International Science Index, Electrical and Computer Engineering Vol:8, No:10, 2014 waset.org/Publication/9999504

Fig. 4 Potential distributions of conventional grounding design

Fig. 5 Touch potential distribution of conventional grounding design

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 8(10) 2014 1574 scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/9999504
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vol:8, No:10, 2014
International Science Index, Electrical and Computer Engineering Vol:8, No:10, 2014 waset.org/Publication/9999504

Fig. 6 Potential distributions of improved grounding grid design

Fig. 7 Touch potential distribution of improved grounding grid design

VI. PROPOSED PROCEDURE OF WIND TURBINE GROUND

DESIGN UNDER LIGHTNING IMPULSE
In this work proposed method introduced for designing
proper and safely grounding grid design under lightning
impulse, 51kA 2/631µs, struck WT#1 as shown in Fig. 8. Fig.
9 shows Flow chart and the procedure followed for proper
grounding grid design under lightning.

Fig. 8 Lightning hit WT#1 [3]

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 8(10) 2014 1575 scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/9999504
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vol:8, No:10, 2014
International Science Index, Electrical and Computer Engineering Vol:8, No:10, 2014 waset.org/Publication/9999504

Fig. 9 Procedure for proper lightning protection

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 8(10) 2014 1576 scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/9999504
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vol:8, No:10, 2014

Fig. 10 shows the proposed arrangement of grounding grid It is clear that the maximum permissible touch potential is
of wind turbine in case of 51kA 2/631µs lightning impulse. calculated as 255 Volts, step potential distribution is under
There are 12 rods in this design and three rings with radius of maximum permissible step potential (355 Volts). On the other
6m, 8m and 10m respectively and foundation from steal hand, touch potential in the most regions in site is safe because
conductor constructed in an area of 15*15m. value of touch potential is lower than maximum permissible
touch potential for most of the points.
Fig. 12 shows the three dimensional distribution of the
touch potential. In this figure, the site is safe from the touch
potential view. Therefore, it can be observed that the proper
design is achieved under 51kA 2/631µs lightning impulse
strike WT. So the proper lightning protection of wind farm
was achieved by the proper ground grid design. The proper
ground grid design is achieved under identification of the
worst lightning strokes in site of wind farm by using flow
chart in Fig. 9.
Fig. 13 shows a comparison between the voltage at
International Science Index, Electrical and Computer Engineering Vol:8, No:10, 2014 waset.org/Publication/9999504

secondary side of boost transformer and GPR at lightning

struck turbine when using grounding system including ring
electrode only and our proposed design. The results show that
the overvoltage reduced by about 95% and GPR decrease by
Fig. 10 Proposed grounding arrangement under 51kA 2/631µs about 97% when using proposed design of grounding system.
This can attributes to the fact that, the proposed grounding
Fig. 11 show potential distributions on proposed ground grid cover large area of ground.
grid due to lightning strokes on WT.

Fig. 11 Potential distributions by using CYMGRD

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 8(10) 2014 1577 scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/9999504
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vol:8, No:10, 2014
International Science Index, Electrical and Computer Engineering Vol:8, No:10, 2014 waset.org/Publication/9999504

Fig. 12 Touch potential distribution of proposed grounding grid design

5
x 10
2.5
Proposed grounding design
2 Conventional grounding design

1.5
Voltage(v)

0.5

-0.5
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
Time(s) -3
x 10
(a) Voltage waveforms Comparison at WT#1

5
x 10
3
Proposed grounding design
2.5 Conventional grounding design

2
Voltage(v)

1.5

0.5

-0.5
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
Time(s) -3
x 10

(b) GPR waveforms Comparison at WT#1

Fig. 13 Overvoltages, GPR at lightning struck turbine under different grounding arrangements

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 8(10) 2014 1578 scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/9999504
 World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology
International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Vol:8, No:10, 2014

VII. CONCLUSION
In practical use a combined types of electrodes in grounding
grid is widely applicable. In fact, it is difficult to estimate
correctly a grounding resistance value of an arbitrary electrode
with a complex shape. So numerical calculations including the
Finite Element Method FEM are important to calculate the
grounding electrode resistance and design an accurate
grounding system for LPS.
In this paper, a proper design improvements for grounding
grid, which have a high earth resistance and small area for
grounding grid.
Also, proposed procedure of proper design of grounding
systems for a wind turbine with the help of the software
package CYMGRD and ATP-EMTP was introduced.
Conventional and proposed Grounding system enhancements
International Science Index, Electrical and Computer Engineering Vol:8, No:10, 2014 waset.org/Publication/9999504

are compared in terms of their ability to reduce potentially

hazardous touch potentials. Computation, characteristics and
hazards of back-flow surge in onshore wind farm are analyzed
under Conventional and proposed Grounding system. The
results show that the overvoltage is reduced by about 95% and
GPR is decreased by about 97% when using the proposed
design of the grounding system

REFERENCES
[1] IEC TR 61400-24, "Wind Turbine Generator Systems-Part 24: Lightning
Protection", 2002.
[2] Yasuda Y and Funabashi T,” Analysis on Back-Flow Surge in Wind
Farms.”, IPST’07, Lyon, France, June 4-7, 2007.
[3] CYMGRD User’s Guide and Reference Manual, March 1995.
[4] I. Cotton, “Windfarm Earthing”, Proc. International Symposium on
High Voltage Engineering, Vol.2, pp. 288-291, London, UK, 1999
[5] N. Hatziargyrious, M. Lorentzou, I. Cotton, N. Jenkins, “Transferred
Overvoltages by Windfarm Grounding Systems” Proceedings of ICHQP
conference, Athens, Greece, 1998
[6] M. Lorentzou, N. Hatziargyrious, B. Papadias, “Analysis of Wind
Turbine Grounding System”, Proc. 10th Mediterranean Electrotechnical
Conference (MELECON 2000), Vol. 3, pp. 936-939, 2000
[7] ANSI/IEEE Std 80-1986” Ac Substation Grounding”
[8] Amr M. Abd_Elhady, Nehmdoh A. Sabiha and Mohamed A. Izzularab,”
Overvoltage Investigation Of Wind Farm Under Lightning Strokes”, IET
Conference on Renewable Power Generation (RPG, 2011).
[9] P. Pinceti and M. Giannettoni, "A Simplified Model for Zinc Oxide
Surge Arresters", IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 14, No. 2,
PP. 393-398, April 1999.
[10] “IEEE Guide for Safety in AC Substation Groundin”, IEEE Std. 80,
USA, 2000.

International Scholarly and Scientific Research & Innovation 8(10) 2014 1579 scholar.waset.org/1307-6892/9999504