Analysis of lightning transient performance of 132 kV transmission line connected to Miramar wind farm: A case study

Abstract

Lightning strikes are one of the main causes of power system trip-outs. When the overhead transmission line (TL) connected to a wind farm is struck by lightning, large currents propagate to the substation, resulting in severe problems. To enhance the performance of wind farm substations, the transient behavior during lightning must be analyzed. The main contribution of this paper is to study the lightning behavior of wind farm substations whose design is different from other conventional substations. The lightning surge overvoltages caused by back flashover and shielding-failure of the 132 kV overhead TL connected to the 33/132 kV air-insulated substation (AIS) of Miramar wind farm are calculated. This wind farm has been built in Argentina to achieve grid connection and power transmission with a total capacity of 98.7 MW. The work investigates the fast-front lightning transient overvoltages in the AIS caused by lightning flashes striking the 132 kV overhead TL. The distributed parameter model of the TL, including towers, phase-conductors, the shielding-wire, insulators, and the span, is investigated using Digsilent Power Factory software. In addition, the AIS apparatus, including surge arresters (SAs), two 60 MVA transformers, and circuit breakers, are also considered in the model. The strike is applied first at the shielding-wire, and the impact on the transient overvoltages at the TL and the substation during the back flashover phenomenon are analyzed. On the other hand, the shielding-failure is studied and the transient overvoltages at the TL and the substation are analyzed. The impact on the transient overvoltages at the TL and the substation is investigated, taking into account the SA protection operation, and its dissipated energy during lightning flashes is calculated. The study results are important for the lightning protection systems design of wind farm substations connected to overhead TLs.