TRANSIENT ANALYSIS OF RING EARTH ELECTORDE FOR WIND TURBINE *YASUDA Yoh, FUJII Toshiaki, Kansai University, UEDA

Toshiaki, Chubu Electric Power Co.

* Yamate-cho 3-3-35, Suita, Osaka 564-8680, Japan Phone: +81-6-6368-0978, Fax: +81-6-6388-8843, E-mail: yasuda@kansai-u.ac.jp

ABSTRACT Lightning protection of wind power generation is becoming an important public issue. It is important to understand the impedance characteristics of wind turbine earthing systems from the viewpoint of lightning protection. A report from IEC, TR61400-24, recommends a ring earth electrode; however, this concept has not been fully discussed, especially its transient behaviour during a lightning strike remains unresolved. To confirm the effect of a ring earth electrode, this report presents an electromagnetic transient analysis on a foundation and ring earth electrode of a wind power generator using a Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method. The results show that the ring earth electrode provides a low steady resistance with little inductive potential rise. Thus, it is confirmed that the ring earth electrode provides effective lightning protection. Keywords: wind power generation, wind turbine, lightning surge, ring earth electrode, earthing (grounding resistance), transient impedance, numerical electromagnetic analysis

1.

INTRODUCTION

As installations of wind turbines have greatly increased worldwide and its commutative capacity is close to 50 GW[1], various problems have arisen. Wind turbines are often struck by lightning because of their open-air locations, special shape and very-high construction. As well as seriously damaging blades, accidents where low-voltage and control circuits breakdown frequently occur in many wind farms. Although some reports, including IEC TR 61400-24:2002 [2], have indicated a methodology for protection against such accidents, a standardized solution remains to be established. This problem has recently surfaced as an important issue [3]-[7]. Especially, Japan suffers from frequent and heavy lightning strikes, an example being the notorious winter lightning found in coastal areas of the Sea of Japan [8]. Indeed, many turbines in Japan have been hit by lightning, and winter lightning poses a specific threat due to its intense power and electric current that are much higher than the world average [9]-[10]. Furthermore, due to its narrow landmass, wind turbines in Japan tend to be constructed in mountainous areas with high resistivity soil. Thus, earthing is one of the most important issues for the protection of Japanese wind turbines from lightning. According to an IEC report [2], a ring earth electrode is recommended for wind turbine earthing. However, few reports have discussed in depth this system from both analytical and experimental viewpoints. In this report, the authors present a electromagnetic analysis on ring earth electrodes for wind turbines. To clarify the effect of the ring earth electrode, FDTD (Finite Difference Time Domain) method, in which Maxwells electromagnetic equations are computationally treated as difference equations in both time and space domains, is employed. With various models for a wind turbines foundation and earth electrodes, a transient analysis on the earth resistance (impedance) is performed.

2.

RING EARTH ELECTRODE FOR WIND TURBINE

According to IEC TR 61400-24, a Type A arrangement (with vertical and/or horizontal electrode) and Type B arrangement (with ring earth electrode) are recommended for wind turbine earthing. The type B arrangement, as shown in Fig.1, is described as this type of arrangement comprises a ring earth electrode external to the structure in

contact with the soil for at least 80 % of its total length or a foundation earth electrode. Additional vertical and horizontal earth electrodes may be used in combination with the ring electrode. The electrode should be buried to a depth of at least 0.5 m. This arrangement was originally defined as an earthing method for ordinary houses or buildings in IEC 61024-1 and 61024-1-2 (corrently revised and re-numbered as 62035-1:2006 [11] and 62035-3:2006 [12]) as shown in Fig.2. The concept of the earth electrode is to create equipotential bonding surrounding a house or a building to avoid values of step and touch voltages that conventionally are considered dangerous. In a general wind turbine, a tower is constructed onto a circular or polygonal foundation made of a reinforced concrete. A wind turbine normally uses the type B arrangement with a ring electrode placed around and bonded to the reinforced concrete foundation [2]. IEC TR61400-24 also says Foundation reinforcement bars may be used as the lightning protection system earth termination. If, for example, a wind turbine is built on a reinforced concrete raft of 15 m diameter, then this can be considered equivalent to a ring electrode of 15 m diameter. [2] A ring electrode for a wind turbine is usually installed around the periphery of the turbine foundation; therefore, the radius of the ring electrode will normally be defined by the radius of the turbine foundation. But, discussion concerning earth ring electrodes, especially for wind turbines, has not been exhaustive. A wind turbines foundation is essentially very small comparing with ordinary buildings. The small radius of its ring electrode may not have enough effect for lightning protection. Further, the impedance of the ring may have both inductive and conductive characteristics in high frequency region such as a lightning surge. IEC 61400-24 also indicates that of particular importance during a lightning stroke is not just the resistance of the earthing system, but also its inductance. As a lightning current contains many high frequency components, these interact with any earthing system inductance to produce very high transient impedances. [2] Though a few reports [13],[14] have noted the problem, the essential questions do not appear to have been resolved. How does a ring earth electrode affect the transient impedance during a lightning strike? What shape and configuration of an electrode has the most effect on lightning protection for a wind turbine? These questions need to be resolved to establish safe countermeasures against lightning accidents. This paper therefore considers the transient behaviour and the effects of a wind turbines ring earth electrode using FDTD electromagnetic calculations.

Fig. 1.

Ring earth electrode for a wind turbine tower [2].

Fig.2.

Ring earth electrode for a building [12].

3.

FDTD TRANSIENT ANALYSIS ON WIND TURBINE EARTHING SYSTEM

3.1 Background and Theory of FDTD Method In this chapter, a transient analysis on wind turbine foundations with various earthing systems using FDTD electromagnetic calculation is discussed. The Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method is a computing calculation algorithm in which Maxwells electromagnetic equations are computationally treated as difference equations in both time and space domains [15]. With increased CPU power in PC machines, various investigations into high voltage engineering including earth system analysis have employed the algorithm. [16]-[19]

In the FDTD method, an analysis domain surrounding a wave source and measured objects is supposed. The domain is divided by a small rectangular solid which is called a cell. The following Maxwell differential equations, Eqs.(1) and (2), are directly applied for all cells.
E ( r, t ) = B ( r , t ) t + J ( r, t )

(1)

H ( r, t ) =

D ( r , t ) t

(2)

In the actual calculation, Maxwells equations are arragened by a first-order central difference approximation called Yees algorithm and calculate magnetic and an electric fields step by step. For example, an electric field En is calculated from En1 at t = (n1)t and a magnetic field Hn1/2 at t = (n1/2)t. Also, Hn+1/2 is generated from Hn1/2 and En. Using Maxwellian constitutive equations B = H, D = E and J = E under the assumption of isotropic and nondispersion media, Eqs.(1) and (2) can be transformed as follows:
E 1 = E + H t

(3)

H 1 = E t

(4)

Eqs.(3) and (4) can be converted to Eqs.(5) and (6) by difference approximation. 1 1 n E n E n 1 n 2 1 = E + H 2 t
n+ H 1 1 n 2 H 2 1 = En t

(5)

(6)

Here, En-1/2 can be approximated as the average of En and En1 because each electric field is defined only at integer time values. 1 n E n +1 + E n E 2 2 (7) n Consequently, an electric field E is calculated as follows;
En =

t t 1 n 2 E n 1 + H 2 t t 1+ 1+ 2 2
1

(8)

In a similar way, a magnetic field H

n+1/2

is calculated as follows;

1 1 n+ n t H 2 = H 2 En

(9) As can be seen from Eqs.(8) and (9), in the FDTD methods, the electric field En is generated from the previous half step of the electric field En1 at t = (n1)t and the magnetic field Hn1/2 at t = (n1/2)t. Likewise, the magnetic field Hn+1/2 is calculated from the previous half step of the electric field En and the magnetic field Hn1/2 [15]. 3.2 Models for Wind Turbine Foundations and Ring Earth Electrodes In the present FDTD calculations, we employ the conditions as shown in Table 1. For the present modeling, we assume a simplified ideal foundation as shown in Fig.3(a), with the following assumptions; (i) a windmill tower is not considered and the lightning current inrushes at the top surface of the foundation, (ii) the foundation is made of several blocks of rectangular solids and the area of the base is 4.5 m 4.5 m, and (iii) a reinforced bar in the foundation i.e. a inner ring earth electrode #1 is simulated by a copper frame.

Figure 3 (b) and (c) show the case with four vertical rods, and the case with a outer ring earth electrode, x m on a side, respectively.

Table 1 domain of space space step size time step size relative permittivity

Parameters for FDTD calculation 25 m 25 m 100 m 0.25 m (x and y = 100 splits, z = 400 splits) 4.51010 s (satisfying Courants stable condition) air 1 soil 10 concrete 6 air 0 soil 3.33103 S/m concrete 5810-4 S/m conductor (copper) 58106 S/m air 4107 H/m 3108 m/s crest width wave tail crest peak 1 s 70 s 30 kA

Conductivity Permeability velocity of electromagnetic wave lightning: lump wave boundary condition

the second-order Liaos absorbing condition [20]

impulse current source

500

concrete

concrete

air

1,250

500 d

250 d

250

soil

vertical rods (copper)

4,000

4,000

12,500

13,000

12,500

13,000

4,000 2,000

4,500

4,000
bonding bar (copper) reinforcing bar (copper) outer ring earth electrode (copper)

4,000 4,000

4,000

4,000 4,000

(a) with vertical rods

(b) with outer earth electrode Fig.3 Model of a windmills base

(c) combination of ring earth and vertical rods

Qualitative Observation of FDTD Analysis First, contour plots of electric field given by the FDTD calculation using the each foundation model are shown in Fig.4. In Fig.4(a), the contour plot of the single basement obviously occupied by red region up to 2 105 V/m. This result indicates that it is not enough to use a reinforcing bar as a ring earth electrode from the viewpoint of lightning protection. In contrast, Figs.4(b) and (c) show the relatively lower electric field in the soil due to the auxiliary vertical rods or the outer ring earth electrode. This suggests effective suppression of potential rise during lightning surge invasion can be expected.

3.3

5.0 z [m] z [m]

5.0 z [m] 5.0 0.0 x [m] (b) with vertical rods [V/m] Fig.4

5.0

0.0

0.0

0.0

-5.0 -5.0 5.0 0.0 x [m] (a) single basement

-5.0 -5.0

-5.0 5.0 0.0 x [m] (c) with outer earth electrode -5.0

Contour plots of electric field with each grounding ( = 2000 m, t = 2.00 s).

3.4 Transient Analysis on Various Wind Turbine Foundations Secondly, to observe the results in more detail, the calculated waveforms of voltage (potential at the top surface of the foundation) and simultaneous impedance of the earthing system are as illustrated in Figs.5 and 6. In the present analysis, the parameter of the soil resistivity is respectively assumed as 100, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 m. As shown in a voltage waveform none, which means a fundamental model wituout any auxiliary electrode, in Fig.5(a), it is clear that the transient curve of the voltage is quite similar to that of the input current with 1/70-s lightning wave, which suggests that the earth impedance is just resistivity with less inductivity. Although the waveforms in Fig.5(b) have steep peaks reaching nearly 100 at about 0.1 s, they are considered to be unessential because they hardly give influence to the potential curves. In fact, it is evident that the transient elevation of the potential waveform is not seen in Fig.5(a). Disregarding the steep peak at about 0.1 s, it is shown that curves with less than 1000 m have creepage capacitive characteristics, and those over 1000 m have slightly inductive characteristics before 1 s. After 1 s, every curve clearly has resistive characteristics with flat and stable behaviour. This can be understood from the fact that it is convenient to assume the bulk-shape of the foundation is a hemisphere electrode. Figure 5 also shows the result from the case with four vertical rods as shown in Fig.3(b). The calculation was performed to clarify the effect of vertical rods. As can be seen in Fig.5(b), voltage curves with every parameter indicate the evident effect of vertical rods compared with the case with a single foundation; it is also found that the

3000 Potential rise [kV] 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 0.0 1.0

(a)

Depth of rods none

100 Impedance [] 80 60 40 20 0 0.0 1.0

(b)

Depth of rods none

10 m 20 m 30 m 40 m
2.0 Time [s ec] 3.0 4.0

10 m 20 m 30 m 40 m

2.0 3.0 Time [sec]

4.0

Fig.5

Results for a foundation with vertical rods at = 2000 m. ((a) potential, (b) impedance)

3000
potential rise [kV]

side of electrode

impedance []

2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 0.0

Fig.6

(a)

none

100 80 60 40 20 0 0.0

side of electrode

(b)

none

8.5 m 12.5 m 20.5 m

8.5 m 12.5 m 20.5 m

1.0

2.0
Time [sec]

3.0

4.0

1.0

time [sec]

2.0

3.0

4.0

Results for a foundation with ring earth electrode at = 2000 m. ( (a) potential, (b) impedance)

impedance curves have moderate peaks and show slight inductivity. However, in case of rods of more than 30 m, the effect holding the voltage down is not seen any more and a steady value of earth resistance would converge to a standard value. This is very similar to the results from a conventional transmission tower with vertical rods. Thus, it becomes clear that vertical rods are also effective for wind turbine lightning protection from the viewpoint of the moderation of both steady resistance and a rise in inductive potential. The result in the case with an outer ring earth electrode as shown in Fig.3(c) is presented in Fig.6. Comparing each curve in the graph, it is evident that the lager the outer electrode is, the lower the steady impedance and the potential rise suppressed. The fact indicates that the ring earth electrode has sufficient effect to prevent a potential rise due to the lightning strike as well as the vertical rods. From Fig.6(b), the curves in case x < 12.5 m have moderate capacitive characteristics while the curve in case x > 12.5 m have almost resistive or moderate inductive characteristics. The potential rise shown in Fig.6(a) is much lower than originally speculated and so can be considered of no concern from the viewpoint of protecting electrical and electronic devices in a wind turbine. Moreover, to exam in detail the voltage-suppressing effect of a ring earth electrode, a summarized result of all the parameters of soil resistivity is set out in Fig.7. The graph shows that the higher the resistivity is, the more effect that can be expected from the ring electrode. The reason is considered to be that the lower the resistivity is, the more direct the impact of the inductive potential rise. Figure 8 shows another summarized graph of the reduction ratio of the potential rise and earth impedance compared with the original foundation. As can clearly be seen in the graph, the reduction ratio of the steady value of earth resistance always stays around 25 %; therefore, it is evident that a 1/4 suppressing effect can be expected in every resistivity cases using a 15-m-square ring earth electrode. By contrast, the higher the resistivity, the lower the reduction ratio of a potential rise is suppressed. This can be also explained as the inductive element being relatively strong in cases of lower resistivity. However, in all cases the potential rise due to

3000
potential rise [kV] reduction ratio [%]

100
single basement

2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 0

Fig.7

80 60 40 20 0
potential rise (peak value) impedance (steady value)

with ring electrode

500

1000

1500

2000

0
Fig.8

500

1000

1500

2000

soil resistivity [m] Effect of ring earth electrode.

soil resistivity [m] Reduction ratio of potential rise

120 100
impedance []

3000 2500
potential rise (peak value)

120
impedance []

3000
potential rise (peak value)

80 60 40 20 0 0
Fig.9

2000 1500 1000 500 0

100 80 60 40 20 0 0
Fig.10

2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0

potential rise [kV]

potential rise [kV]

impedance (steady value)

impedance (steady value)

10

20

30

40

50

10

15

20

25

depth of vertical rod [m] Effect of vertical rods depending on their depth. ( = 2000 m )

space of ring earth electrode [m] Effect of ring earth electrode depending on its side. ( = 2000 m )

the inductive characteristic of a ring earth electrode tends to be moderate, and is suppressed to be low enough. Thus, it is confirmed that a ring earth electrode can be expected to prevent any potential rise due to a lightning surge. 3.5 Comparison between vertical rods and ring earth electrode As mentioned above, vertical rods are certainly an effective auxiliary electrode, but might be a much more expensive method in the case of an installation going to several tens of meters in depth. By contrast, a ring earth electrode is a relatively inexpensive method that is able to be buried horizontally, spreading the electrode bonding to reinforced bars as part of the construction system. Figures 9 and 10 show two graphs comparing between a case with vertical rods and one with an outer ring earth electrode under 2000-m soil resistivity. From these graphs, the outer ring earth electrode of about 20 m square is expected to have an equivalent or superior effect to that of vertical rods going to about 40 m depth from the viewpoint of both temporal potential rise and steady resistance. Though both electrodes are individually calculated in the present analysis, parallel usage is expected to be more effective in reducing the steady resistance of a wind turbines earthing system. Thus, a practical combination of a wide ring earth electrode and relatively short vertical electrodes holds promise as a cost-effective earthing system for wind turbine lightning protection. 3.6 Transient Analysis for Combined ring earth electrode and vertical rods Figure 11 shows the results for a combination of four vertical rods and a ring earth electrode. The calculation was performed to clarify the effectiveness of this combination. As can be seen in Fig.11(a), whereas when no supporting electrode is used, peak potential rise is 2,500kV. This potential rise is reduced greatly by an auxiliary electrode. Moreover, while a ring earth electrode without vertical rods shows capacitive characteristics, the combined ring earth

3000 Potential rise [kV] 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 0.0

(a)

without ring or rods

100 Impedance [] 80 60 40 20 0 0.0

(b)

without ring or rods

without rods 10 m 20 m 40 m

without rods 10 m 20 m 40 m

1.0

2.0 3.0 Time [sec]

Fig.11

4.0

1.0

2.0 3.0 Time [sec]

4.0

Results for combining vertical rods with a ring earth electrode ((a) potential, (b) impedance)

3000 Potential rise [kV] 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 0

15 with ring earth electrode

100

(a)
Resistance []
without ring earth electrode

(b)
80
without ring earth electrode

60 40 20 0
with ring earth electrode

10 20 30 40 Depth of vertical rod [m]

Fig.12

50

10 15

20 30 40 Depth of vertical rod [m]

50

Effect of adding ring earth electrode to vertical rods ((a) potential peak value, (b) steady resistance)

electrode and long vertical rods shows strongly inductive characteristics. However peak potential rise for vertical rods is around 500 kV. Therefore, combination of a ring earth electrode and vertical rods can be expected to sufficiently dampen potential increase to protect low voltage circuit and control machinery installed near wind power generation facilities. Finally, Fig.12 shows a comparison of vertical rods and a combination of ring earth electrode and vertical rods. As can be seen in Fig.12, an outer ring earth electrode of 12.5 m square is expected to have an equivalent effect to that of vertical rods sunk to roughly 15m. In addition, a combination of ring earth electrode and vertical rods provides sufficient potential rise dampening even for very short vertical rods. However, vertical rods more than 30m converge to a constant value because of their inductive characteristics. Therefore to protect low voltage and control equipment around large wind power generation facilities built in mountainous lightning prone areas, we propose initial installation of an outer ring earth electrode of a size that can be effectively place underground. After this vertical rods of a suitable length can be installed. 4.

CONCLUSION

The present report discussed the effects of a ring earth electrode for wind turbines as recommended in IEC TR 61400-24:2002. FDTD electromagnetic calculations with a wind tower foundation and various electrode models were performed. The report aimed to present a detailed clarification of the effect of a ring earth electrode on protecting a wind turbine from a lightning surge. As the result of the analyses, the following issues became clear; A ring earth electrode for a wind turbine is much effective not only to create equipotential bonding to suppress step and touch voltages but also to prevent potential rise to protect low-voltage and control circuit. The impedance characteristics of a ring earth electrode are less inductivity; therefore it is expected not to cause a significantly steep potential rise even if a lightning current is imposed. The higher the resistivity of the soil, the more effectively a ring earth electrode can be expected to perform. The longer a side of a ring earth electrode, the more suppressing effect can be expected from the viewpoint of both temporal potential rise and steady resistance. A ring earth electrode of about 20 m square is expected to have the equivalent or superior effect of vertical rods going down to about 40 m depth. The combination of ring earth electrodes and vertical rods dampens potential increase more effectively than each individually. This suggests that there could be an efficient and cost-effective combination of a ring earth electrode and vertical ones. The design of an earthing system for lightning protection is an important issue in wind turbine construction. It is even more important in a mountainous area where soil resistivity is very high. The present analyses should help towards developing a methodology for protecting wind turbines against lightning strikes.

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