Lightning Overvoltage Protection of Step-Up Transformer Inside a Nacelle of Onshore New-Generation Wind Turbines
Department of Power Engineering, University of Split, FESB, R. Boskovica 32, HR-21000 Split, Croatia
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Energies 2021, 14(2), 322; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14020322
Received: 27 November 2020
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Revised: 4 January 2021
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Accepted: 6 January 2021
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Published: 8 January 2021
(This article belongs to the Section B2: Wind, Wave and Tidal Energy)
This paper presents an electromagnetic transient analysis of lightning-initiated overvoltage stresses of the step-up transformers installed inside a nacelle of onshore, multi-megawatt, new-generation wind turbines. The increase in the wind turbine (WT) nominal power output, necessitated introducing the step-up transformer into the nacelle. A transformer installed inside a nacelle is subjected to completely different overvoltage stresses from those present if it were installed at the base of the WT tower. This has serious repercussions on its overvoltage protection (i.e., selection and installation of surge arresters) and insulation coordination. Furthermore, the overvoltage protection of medium-voltage cables (inside the tower) is also problematic when considering their length, proximity to the tower wall, and their screen grounding practices, and needs to be tackled in conjunction with that of the step-up transformer. This paper presents detailed models for the various components of the latest-generation WTs, intended for fast-front transient analysis and assembled within the EMTP software package. We further present the comprehensive results of the lightning-transient numerical simulations, covering both upward and downward (first and subsequent) strikes, their analysis, and recommendations for the optimal selection of medium-voltage surge arresters for the step-up transformers installed inside a nacelle.
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Keywords:
lightning; wind turbine; EMTP; transient analysis; overvoltage protection; surge arresters; transformer
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MDPI and ACS Style
Sarajcev, P.; Meglic, A.; Goic, R. Lightning Overvoltage Protection of Step-Up Transformer Inside a Nacelle of Onshore New-Generation Wind Turbines. Energies 2021, 14, 322. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14020322
AMA Style
Sarajcev P, Meglic A, Goic R. Lightning Overvoltage Protection of Step-Up Transformer Inside a Nacelle of Onshore New-Generation Wind Turbines. Energies. 2021; 14(2):322. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14020322
Chicago/Turabian StyleSarajcev, Petar, Antun Meglic, and Ranko Goic. 2021. "Lightning Overvoltage Protection of Step-Up Transformer Inside a Nacelle of Onshore New-Generation Wind Turbines" Energies 14, no. 2: 322. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14020322
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