Lightning flashes on wind turbines

• Grant number: 25/14390-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2026
• End date: April 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geophysics
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Magalhães Fares Saba
• Grantee: Marcelo Magalhães Fares Saba
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São José dos Campos
• Associated researchers: Bojan Franc ; Bozidar ; Carina Schumann ; Daniel da Silva Gazzana ; Hugh Gordon Patrick Hunt ; Istvan Kereszy ; Listz Simões de Araújo ; Marcelo Augusto Sousa Arcanjo ; Miguel de Brito Guimarães Neto ; Rafael Silva Alípio

Abstract

The growing demand for renewable energy has led to an increase in the installation of wind farms around the world. Wind turbines are tall structures that can exceed 150 meters in height thanks to advancements in the technology used in their construction. However, the taller the turbine, the greater the chances of lightning striking them or being initiated from them. Consequently, there is a greater need to improve the effectiveness of current lightning protection systems. Concerns regarding the efficiency of the protection systems currently used on wind turbines are strongly linked to the understanding of the physical parameters of lightning. This study aims to describe the physical processes involved in both the attachment of downward lightning and the development of upward lightning on wind turbines. The main objective of the study is to understand the characteristics of these lightning discharges on wind turbines and compare them to lightning discharges on static structures. Based on this comparison, parameters will be defined that may be used to improve protection systems and to assess the impact of wind farm installations on the lightning density in the region. The research will be carried out in collaboration with researchers from four countries and with the use of conventional cameras, high-speed cameras, and thermal cameras, as well as electric field, current sensors and lightning detection systems. (AU)