Enhanced Lightning Strike Insights with Add-On Xweather
EOLOGIX-PING expands its proven lightning strike detection system, :EVENT LIGHTNING, with the new Add-On Xweather. This integration provides wind farm operators worldwide with deeper insights into lightning events, helping to better assess risks, reduce inspection times, and lower maintenance costs.
The Add-On Xweather is a new upgrade to the existing :EVENT LIGHTNING product, developed in cooperation with Vaisala Xweather, the global leader in lightning detection. This software upgrade integrates data from the Global Lightning Dataset (GLD360) and the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN), offering wind turbine operators unparalleled insight into lightning events. The system provides detailed information such as signal strength, polarity, event type, distance and rise time. Thanks to seamless integration with :EVENT LIGHTNING, it enables alert notifications and prioritized inspections, allowing for a rapid response to any potential impact from lightning strikes.
"This cooperation combines the advantages of two systems in one. :EVENT LIGHTNING combined with the Add-On Xweather improves the localization accuracy of lightning strikes. Operators can make quicker decisions about necessary inspections, saving time and increasing efficiency,” explains Thomas Schlegl, CEO of EOLOGIX-PING.
The combination of prompt lightning strike detection with additional lightning data offers wind farm operators many advantages:
- Enhanced precision: With accurate and reliable lightning data (which wind turbine is struck, and IEC 61400 parameters) enables targeted reactions and well-founded decisions. This means that only the wind turbine that has been struck needs to be inspected.
- Improved asset protection: Early detection means that damage can be addressed when it is smaller and less critical.
- Seamless integration: Add-On Xweather is integrated into existing EOLOGIX-PING systems and can be software activated.
- Extended reporting function: More comprehensive and accurate lightning data improves root cause analysis and post-incident reporting.
"By combining data from Xweather's Global Lightning Dataset (GLD360) and the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN), our add-on provides comprehensive insights into each lightning event, including signal strength, polarity, event type, distance, and rise time. We now know which turbine is struck and associated IEC 61400-24 parameters", continues Thomas Schlegl.
Webinar provides insights on what to do after a lightning strike
The practical, one-hour expert-led webinar “What to do after a lightning strike: Expert guidance to minimize turbine downtime”, designed for wind turbine operators by EOLOGIX-PING, Vaisala Xweather and Weather Guard Lightning Tech, will share proven best practices to detect, respond to, and minimize lightning damage before it escalates.
Date: Thursday, July 10th, 2025
Time: starting at 9 a.m. CDT (which is 4 p.m. CEST)
More details and registration: https://eologix-ping.com/en/event/webinar-what-to-do-after-lightning-strike
Speakers:
Allen Hall (President and CEO, Weather Guard Lightning Tech):
Allen Hall is a lightning protection engineer with over 20 years of experience in aerospace and wind energy. He worked for 10 years at Lightning Technologies, a world-leading lightning test facility, and serves as an FAA Designated Engineering Representative (DER). As the current President and CEO of Weather Guard Lightning Tech, he designed the StrikeTape lightning diverter system to protect wind turbines and aircraft worldwide. Allen co-hosts the Uptime Wind Energy Podcast alongside Rosemary Barnes, Joel Saxum, and Phil Totaro
Angela Krcmar (Head of Sales Americas, EOLOGIX-PING)
With 15 years of experience in the renewables sector, Angela Krcmar has been instrumental in identifying and supporting operators and OEMs with asset protection solutions. Her expertise contributes to optimizing fleet performance, ensuring safety for personnel, and benefiting the surrounding community.
Ryan Said (Senior Scientist at Vaisala):
Ryan Said is a Senior Scientist in Vaisala’s R&D group in Boulder, where he develops the core algorithms that drive Vaisala’s various lightning detection and analysis products. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, four patents in lightning geolocation, and has co-authored more than twenty-five journal articles and a textbook on engineering electromagnetics.
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