1. Wind Power LAB (WPL) has launched a lightning surveillance tool called LASSIE to combat strike damages to wind farms.
2. Lightning strikes account for more than 60% of meteorological accidents at wind farms, posing significant risks to operations.
3. LASSIE offers early detection of potential risks, prioritizes intervention for turbines in high-risk areas, and can lead to cost savings of up to 40% through timely repairs.
Wind farms are at risk of lightning strikes, which account for over 60% of meteorological accidents. Wind Power LAB (WPL) has launched LASSIE, a lightning surveillance tool to detect potential risks early and prevent damages. The cloud-based tool prioritizes intervention for turbines in high-risk areas without the need for turbine installation. LASSIE uses a proprietary algorithm to combine weather data and is compliant with electrotechnology standards. A trial showed 98% lightning strike activity and a 50% baseline of blade damages caused by lightning. The tool offers cost savings of 40% by identifying repairs early and avoiding damage progression, leading to estimated yearly savings of $2.7 million. This tool can support wind turbine owners and asset managers in efficiently addressing repairs, responding quickly, and minimizing lost production days. Overall, LASSIE aims to reduce the risks associated with lightning strikes in wind farms and enhance operational efficiency.