A system and method are disclosed for an electrical earthing or grounding system to protect electrical systems and structures. Such systems and structures are efficient at dissipating broadband energy. An earthing mix system in contact with a grounding electrode is separated into functional components; a conductive earthing mix which is in contact with an electrical conductor and an impedance transitioning earthing composition which is in contact with the conductivity earthing mix. The conductive earthing mix absorbs, radiates, conducts, and dissipates electrical energy. The impedance transitioning earthing mix acts as a lossy impedance matching media to reduce reflections and improve energy transfer. A conductive slurry mix fills in voids and aids in contact between the other elements. A grounding electrode system connects an electrically conductive electrode with an earthing mix system to achieve reduced impedance mismatch between the local soil and the grounding system itself while expanding the bandwidth of the overall system's grounding capability beyond traditional solutions.

A wind turbine (10) is disclosed having a hub (14) with electrical power therein and at least one blade (20) attached to the hub. The blade (20) has a blade root (21), a blade tip (26) and a down-wire (30) for the conduction of lightning current to the ground. The wind turbine (10) further has a blade electrical system (99) that takes electrical power from the hub (14) and transmits electrical power into the blade (20) to at least one area located between the blade root (21) and the blade tip (26). The blade electrical system (99) if formed by a power-transfer unit (100) having a power-driver unit (110), a power-conditioner unit (130) and a dielectric (120) separating the power-driver unit (110) and the power-conditioner unit (130). The power-driver unit (110) receives electrical power from the hub (14) and transmit the electrical power through the dielectric (120) to the power-conditioner unit (130). An electrical-power bus (200) is electrically attached to the power-conditioner unit (130) and extends into the blade (20). At least one powered unit (300) is provided which is electrically connected to, and electrically powered by, the electrical-power bus (200).

Ion Harvesting Technology harvests high voltage electricity, including from atmospheric ions. A wire, or conductive tether, may be used to connect ion harvesting material (typically carbon, but including any materials such as metals, metamaterials, or others) located on or near an aerial platform to an anchor point. Because the harvested electricity is typically of high voltage, the electricity may arc between the conductive tether to nearby points of lesser or greater voltage. Such arcing represents a loss of power to the overall system, causing the overall system to be less efficient, or possibly non-operational, and in some cases may cause catastrophic system failure. Electrical isolators may be used to prevent the losses from the arcing.

Provide is a lightning discharge system for a wind turbine including a hub, a spinner defining a protection space wherein the hub is arranged, a blade fixed to the hub, and a nacelle. The discharge system includes a blade band attached to the blade, a ring facing the nacelle and attached to the band and to the nacelle, a respective contact device connecting the band to the ring and the ring to the nacelle. The band and the ring are arranged in the space, and the ring is further attached to the hub such that it faces the nacelle through a rear opening of the spinner.

A lightning rod for protecting an antenna system involves a lightning rod having a plurality of sections. Each section of the plurality of sections has a dimension. The dimension is less than a quarter of a wavelength according to an operating frequency of the antenna system to be protected. The plurality of sections is inductively coupled. The lightning rod can also be part of a group of lightning rods, and a system of a lightning rod or a group of lightning rods with an antenna system.

The present disclosure provides earth ground enhancing systems that improve the dissipation of electrical energy, e.g., static electrical charges, that may build up on a grounded structure or a group of grounded structures. The earth ground enhancing systems include one or more conductors and one or more conductive mats attached to the one or more conductors. The present disclosure also provides methods for assembling or installing such earth ground enhancing systems, methods for grounding a structure or a group of structures. The present disclosure also provides embodiments of kits for the distribution of components forming the earth ground enhancing systems.

The present disclosure provides earth ground enhancing systems that improve the dissipation of electrical energy, e.g., static electrical charges, that may build up on a grounded structure or a group of grounded structures. The earth ground enhancing systems include one or more conductors and one or more conductive mats attached to the one or more conductors. The present disclosure also provides methods for assembling or installing such earth ground enhancing systems, methods for grounding a structure or a group of structures. The present disclosure also provides embodiments of kits for the distribution of components forming the earth ground enhancing systems.

A lightning isolation support arm assembly for mounting an accessory unit, such as an antenna, sensor, camera, or any other suitable accessory/device, to a mast assembly of a lightning protection system. The support arm assembly may include a mast base adapter and one or more support arms attached to the mast base adapter. A portable lightning protection system including a multi-section conductive mast assembly including at least a base mast section and a top mast section; an air terminal attachable to the top mast section; a base assembly attachable to the base mast section via a hinge assembly, wherein the hinge assembly may be configured to allow the base mast section to hinge relative to the base assembly; and a support arm assembly attached to the mast assembly.

Provided is an electromagnetic grounding arrangement for power cables of a wind turbine that includes a tower mounted on a foundation, which electromagnetic grounding arrangement includes an electrically conductive sheet including at least one aperture through which a power cable passes; a first current path from a jacket of the power cable to the electrically conductive sheet; and a second current path from the electrically conductive sheet to ground.

A method of transporting grounding plates is provided, having a step of providing a plurality of grounding plates made from an electrically conductive material. Each grounding plate has a plate body with first and second faces that are planar, opposed, and parallel to each other, and a grounding connector formed from the same material and having a first end connected to the plate body. The grounding connector is bendable about the first end from a planar configuration to a functional configuration. In the planar configuration, the grounding connector is aligned with and parallel to the first and second faces of the plate body, and in the functional configuration, the grounding connector is at an angle relative to the first face of the plate body. The method has the further steps of stacking the plurality of grounding plates in the planar configuration and transporting the stack to a destination.