title-wind

Exclusive Articles

Enhancing Wind Turbine Protection with ArcGuide® Coating

Published in: Wind, Digital Blog

Enhancing Wind Turbine Protection with ArcGuide® Coating image

Lightning strikes pose a major risk to wind turbine blades, costing the industry over $100 million annually. To address this challenge, Arctura has developed ArcGuide® coating, a groundbreaking solution that enhances lightning protection systems (LPS) and reduces maintenance costs.

How ArcGuide® Coating Works

ArcGuide® is a polyurethane-based topcoat applied near the lightning receptors on wind turbine blades. It contains a proprietary blend of conductive particles that disrupt the electric field above the blade, ensuring that lightning attaches to the receptors instead of penetrating the blade skin.

Proven Effectiveness

  • In laboratory tests on GE 1.5sle blades, ArcGuide® reduced puncture rates by 73% at common strike angles.
  • Blades coated with ArcGuide® suffered no damage at angles of 30° or higher and had 50% fewer punctures at 10° angles compared to uncoated blades.
  • The coating ensures that lightning leaders form at the receptors, minimizing blade damage.

Durability and Maintenance

  • Tested under IEC 61400-24 standards, ArcGuide® withstood multiple 200 kA strikes with no damage.
  • Designed to be maintenance-free, it remains effective throughout the blade’s entire lifespan, regardless of lightning frequency or intensity.
  • Durability tests using ASTM standards confirm its performance matches industry-leading topcoats.

Financial and Operational Benefits

  • Fewer lightning-induced blade punctures lead to reduced downtime and lower repair costs.
  • Improved turbine reliability and efficiency, ensuring higher energy output and long-term cost savings.

A Game-Changer in Blade Protection

Arctura’s ArcGuide® coating is a major innovation in wind turbine lightning protection, offering proven durability and maintenance-free performance. As wind farm operators seek solutions to enhance reliability and reduce costs, ArcGuide® presents a compelling, cost-effective option.

Read the full article here: https://pes.eu.com/exclusive-article/reducing-blade-damage-caused-by-lightning/

More from across PES