PhD StuPhD scholarship in Lightning risk assessment for safe wind turbine operationdent - DTU Wind

Job description

Are you fascinated by lightning and meteorology and want a research career with an impact on society? Then DTU Wind and Energy Systems offers a PhD position in assessing lightning risks for wind turbines through experiments and modelling. Lightning poses a significant threat to wind turbines because their tall, conductive structures make them natural targets in both onshore and offshore environments. On land, turbines are often installed in open, elevated areas that are frequently exposed to thunderstorms. Offshore turbines face additional challenges from maritime lightning, which can be more intense and influenced by extreme weather systems. A single lightning strike—onshore or at sea—can damage blades, generators, sensors, and control systems, leading to costly repairs and downtime. Responsibilities and qualifications: This PhD project aims to develop a lightning and meteorology-informed framework to assess lightning risks to wind turbines and enhance their safety and reliability. The project will characterize upward and downward lightning strike rates across selected onshore and offshore regions in Europe and the U.S. East Coast, comparing maritime, coastal, and orographic regim...