Mobile application for the estimation of lightning incidence to vertical slender structures

Estimation of lightning incidence to vertical slender structures, such as telecommunication towers and wind turbines, is a formidable task. It is, however, of great importance in terms of reliability and insulation coordination of the connected power systems. The present study introduces a general methodology for the estimation of downward flashes to vertical slender structures on the basis of the statistical and several electrogeometric and generic lightning attachment models. The methodology has been incorporated in a user friendly mobile application, called TLIC. Lightning incidence calculations show that the relevant IEC 62305 procedure yields results deviating significantly from those obtained according to several lightning attachment models. It also, implementing an oversimplified…