Power generation facilities are among the most vulnerable to operational disruptions caused by direct lightning strikes and their secondary effects, due to a combination of their physical structure, operating environment, and critical reliance on sensitive equipment.
Sites are often located in open areas such as flat plains with elevated structures, which naturally increases their exposure to lightning. Many generation facilities, especially those using fossil fuels, natural gas, or nuclear power, have tall structures such as stacks, turbines, cooling towers, or transmission towers that naturally attract lightning.
Modern generation facilities also rely heavily on sensitive electronics and digital control systems (e.g., SCADA, PLCs, CEMS) that are highly sensitive to transient overvoltages. Even indirect strikes can disrupt or damage these systems.
Since generation facilities operate continuously and are often critical to grid stability, even momentary disruptions can lead to significant operational or safety consequences. Restarting after shutdowns can be a slow and complex process, making lightning-induced outages particularly costly during high-demand periods.
This is leading many power generation facilities to adopt lightning defense strategies designed to protect structures, equipment, and personnel. However, with many technological advances since the invention of the Franklin Lightning Rod more than 250 years ago, navigating the maze of potential lightning protection solutions can be daunting.
Lightning defense is a specialized body of knowledge that has accumulated for over 200 years. Broadly speaking, lightning defense encompasses two key approaches: lightning protection and lightning avoidance, such as Charge Transfer technologies. Proper grounding and surge protection are also critical.
Due to the wide range of available technologies, mounting an effective defense against lightning-related threats typically requires a tailored strategy that integrates multiple solutions, each having its own specific purpose for minimizing damage or avoiding it altogether. The optimal combination depends on the specific site conditions and the nature of the operation.
To navigate this complexity effectively, it is essential to engage qualified lightning protection experts who can conduct thorough site evaluations, identify and prioritize vulnerabilities, and recommend appropriate protection solutions.
“Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, lightning protection and mitigation recommendations should be tailored to a facility’s unique vulnerabilities, whether that involves direct strike avoidance, secondary damage caused by a nearby strike, or grounding improvements,” says Brian Daugherty, Engineering Sales Manager at Lightning Eliminators & Consultants, Inc. (LEC), a pioneer in the field of lightning protection in since 1971.
According to Daugherty, LEC engineering and sales engineers have a combined over 160 years of experience in lightning protection. Today, LEC’s solutions protect critical operations and structures for some of the world’s most recognized companies, including Federal Express, UPS, Marathon Petroleum, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Telluride Ski Resort, and thousands more.
Daugherty says the appropriate combination of solutions can only be determined through a comprehensive evaluation of each facility’s current protection measures, grounding systems, and overall risk exposure.
“Understanding a facility’s past issues, vulnerabilities, and protection goals helps determine whether the solution should focus on grounding enhancements, surge protection, direct strike avoidance, secondary damage from a nearby strike, or a combination of all three,” says Daugherty.
By conducting a thorough site assessment, LEC helps facilities identify vulnerabilities and implement customized mitigation strategies, whether that means improving grounding, adding targeted surge protection, or implementing direct strike mitigation solutions.
For more information: call 303-447-2828; email info@lecglobal.com; or visit lightningprotection.com.