Wind power has become a core technology for energy conversion in the global area and an important way to deal with climate change. Lightning stroke is one of the important factors causing damage to wind turbines. Due to particularity of the structure and position of wind turbines

the lightning striking characteristics and protective measures are significantly different from those of ordinary lightning striking targets. This paper summarizes and analyzes the research progress in the field of natural lightning striking observation in wind farm

lightning striking simulation test

numerical calculation of lightning discharge process and lightning flash failure and optimization design in recent years. The main conclusions are as follows: 1) As the size of a wind turbine is larger

the risk of lightning strikes of wind turbines is more related to upward leader. The different polarities of lightning cause differences in initiation and development of the upward leader from wind turbines

which in turn affects the lightning characteristics of the wind turbines. 2) Since the blade is in a rotating state for a long time

the rotation of the blade will affect the lightning attracting ability and the flashing position of the wind turbine. However

the mechanism of the process of lightning striking to wind turbine is still needed to be further researched. 3) The quantity

installation position and outer environment of the wind turbine have great influences on the risk of lightning strikes to wind turbine. The flashing mechanism of the wind turbine group with multiple leader and the lightning risk assessment method should be further studied. 4) At present

the design of the blade lightning system is simple

which is not designed via proper progress and mechanism of lightning striking to wind turbine. The accident of shielding failure occurs frequently

and the optimal design of the lightning terminal needs further demonstration.