Combined analysis of wind speed and lightning activity for wind farms over the East Asian region

Renewable wind power generation is booming in East Asian countries, such as China, Japan, Mongolia, etc. The operating statistics have listed lightning as a major threat to wind turbines as their exceptional height and large lightning-attraction area. Wind farms are seeking site locations with both superior wind sources and low lightning density. However, it is still lacking the combined analysis of wind speed and lightning activity up to date. This work gathers wind speed data over the East Asian region from satellite measurements and lightning activity data from a ground-based lightning detection network. Atlas of wind speed and lightning activity are drawn over the East Asian region. The relationship between wind speed and lightning activity is also studied and a significant correlation is identified. The results of this work contribute to offering useful information for wind turbines.