5.3.4. Summary

Comparing results obtained from Case Studies, it can be deduced that the most efficient way of increasing the efficiency of the protection of a wind turbine blade is to increase the diameter of the down conductor. However, it will be compromised due to the actual cost of the extra material, the weight increasement and the possible effects on the airfoil of the blades as these factors are the most crucial in blade design. Furthermore, applying Case E to a modern turbine blade could potentially reduce the effects of the heat and deformation because it only requires small portion of the conductor in the tip region. In general, most turbines are glued together at the leading and trailing edge to reduce the manufacturing costs, this brings an issue since the down conductors placed along these lines. As the current heats up the conductor, this could possibly melt the applied glue material causing severe damage which may cause blade to separate. As to potentially alleviate this, it would be possible to implement the hybrid conductor design for the blade lightning protection.

### **6. Conclusions, Recommendations for Future Works**
