After a thunderstorm, do you inspect all turbines, or plan random inspections and hope for the best? Over inspection costs money, under-inspection costs even more.
Lightning strikes are unavoidable. What costs money is not knowing which ones to inspect, and what to do next. Lightning surveillance is not simply about detection, but prioritisation.
As technology within the wind sector continues to develop, new non-intrusive systems and surveillance technologies are becoming more widely available for wind farm owners and operators looking to turn the uncertainty that follows every lightning storm into a clear, structured decision framework.
Wind Power LAB’s (WPL) Lightning Monitoring System ‘LASSIE’ monitors lightning activity in real-time without the need for physical sensors installed on the turbines, providing a seamless and effective way to protect your valuable assets. But how does it work? Keep reading to learn more about how WPL is streamlining lightning surveillance innovation within the wind sector.
Three Steps to Proactive Wind Turbine Management with LASSIE
Step 1: Gather Information About Lightning Activity
Historically, lightning surveillance in most instances required the installation of dedicated physical hardware, however this is not always the case. LASSIE utilises lightning data from remote sensor networks to monitor lightning activity around each onboarded wind turbine.
This comprehensive surveillance system ensures that accurate and timely information is received about any lightning strikes on a turbine level, allowing you to stay informed without the need for installation of physical sensors on each turbine. This onboarding process can take as little as a few hours, ensuring faster access to the data needed.
National & global lightning detection networks log each strike with location and time. LASSIE collects crucial data insights such as:
- Strikes per turbine
- Peak current
- Strikes outside IEC LPL-1
- First stroke or subsequent stroke
- Seasonal statistics and overviews
When a lightning strike is detected, attachment probability is calculated for each turbine, based on height, terrain, strike uncertainty and IEC61400-24. Alerts are tailored to client requirements and events are logged within a dedicated digital logbook for client insurance and compliance.
Step 2: Define an Inspection Scope
With the lightning data collected and events logged, it’s time to define a targeted inspection scope. LASSIE analyses the real-time data to identify which turbines have been affected by lightning strikes and require closer inspection. This focused approach enables owners/ operators to prioritise blade inspections and optimize maintenance efforts effectively.
LASSIE’s lightning analysis tool also enables users to explore historical lightning data over a selected date range, helping to identify long-term patterns and high-risk areas.
Step 3: Make Assessments and Determine Repair Scope
After conducting the targeted inspections, WPL is able to use the collected inspection data to make informed assessments about the condition of your turbines. LASSIE provides the insights needed to determine the necessary repairs, ensuring that you can address any damage effectively and efficiently. This data-driven repair scope helps you minimise downtime and maintain the performance of your wind farm.
Success Story: How One Client Uses LASSIE to Plan Annual Inspections
One of our clients, a leading wind farm operator, has been using LASSIE to enhance their maintenance strategy. By leveraging the data collected through our service, they have streamlined their annual inspection campaigns. After each storm, they receive targeted reports indicating which turbines are most at risk. This data-driven approach has enabled them to prioritize inspections, reduce unnecessary maintenance, and ensure maximum efficiency.
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Most operators inspect every turbine after a lightning storm. LASSIE tells you which ones actually need it. That’s the difference between uninformed decisions and a prudent operator mindset.
Interested in learning more? Reach out to Resmi Anna Abraham to learn more or book a free demo session.
