Effectiveness of interconnection of wind turbine grounding influenced by interconnection wire

Abstract

IEC TR61400-24 [1] suggests interconnection of grounding electrodes of wind turbines through horizontal electrodes (in the form of insulated or bare conductors) to achieve low steady-state grounding resistance, however, the transient behavior during a lightning strike to an interconnected wind turbine grounding system remains to be discussed. The performance of a large grounding system depends on the wave propagation characteristics through the grounding electrodes. The fundamental wave propagation characteristics through an interconnected wire of wind turbine grounding are studied with the help of Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method. Effectiveness of interconnection of wind turbine grounding is discussed. The influence of soil parameters, distance between turbines, impedance of the wind turbine grounding and the type of a conductor employed for interconnection on the effectiveness of interconnection of wind turbine grounding is also discussed.