Lightning protection: Biogas plant solutions

Achieve reliable power quality with DEHN

In the energy supply sector, your biogas plants are integral to our nation’s ability to transform organic waste into valuable energy sources such as electricity and heat. However, the complexity of these facilities, combined with their storage of hazardous materials, makes them particularly vulnerable to electrical disturbances. 

Effective lightning protection is necessary for maintaining operational integrity and lasting power quality.

Big threats to your biggest power providers

Transient voltage poses a significant risk to the electrical infrastructure of your biogas plants. These sudden increases in voltage can originate from both external and internal sources, each bringing distinct challenges.

  • Internal Transient Voltage: Internal sources of transient voltage typically arise from within your energy supply facility’s own electrical systems. Common causes include switching operations, motor starts and stops, or the sudden disconnection of large loads. These surges can damage sensitive equipment like inverters, control systems, and pumps.
  • External Transient Voltage: External sources of transient voltage often come from outside the biogas plant. Lightning strikes are a primary culprit. Lightning can induce high voltage surges either directly or indirectly through power lines, causing widespread damage to electrical infrastructure. In addition to direct damage, these surges can also induce secondary effects, such as triggering malfunctions in connected systems or causing sudden shutdowns. 

Understanding and mitigating both internal and external transient voltage threats is an important step toward the safe and efficient operation of your biogas plants. By working with DEHN to recognize the sources and impacts of these voltage spikes, you can better protect your facilities, and the surrounding communities. 

How transient surges sabotage biogas processing

In the biogas processing industry, ensuring the stability and safety of electrical systems is a priority. Without transient voltage, lightning protection, and surge protective devices in place, the threats to your plants are multifaceted. 

Equipment damage is a prominent concern. Even a single indirect lightning strike could cause a power surge that disrupts your equipment’s operation or renders it irreparable. Electric disturbances can overload generators, inverters, control systems, pumps, fermentation, and gas tanks, and so much more. 

However, the resulting damage isn't confined to machinery; transient surge can also compromise safety systems and disrupt critical processes.

Repairing and replacing these systems is costly and is only exacerbated by the cost of downtime while you wait for electrical components to be restored. During periods of downtime, the inability to process biogas results in significant disruption to the energy supply chain.

Given the nature of the chemicals and materials handled in your plants, even minor electrical faults can escalate into major incidents. If safety and management systems fail, it can create dangerous conditions – such as hazardous material leaks – for your employees and the environment surrounding your plant.

For instance, a surge could disable critical monitoring and control systems, leaving operators blind to developing hazards such as gas leaks or overheating equipment. In the worst-case scenario, these issues could escalate into fires, explosions, or chemical spills, posing serious risks to human health and safety.

Such incidents increase the potential for non-compliance with environmental and safety regulations. Electrical failures that result in uncontrolled emissions or spills can lead to legal penalties and damage your plant's reputation. 

Don’t let the vulnerable power supply systems within your biogas plant fall victim to transient voltage. Take the proactive approach and work with DEHN to implement tailored external lightning protection, surge protection, grounding systems, and other power quality preservation solutions before an electrical event has a chance to strike.

Request a risk assessment today.

DEHN's solutions: A complete protection concept

You don’t need to become an expert in transient voltage overnight. When you work with DEHN, we put our century of expertise to work for you, so you can focus on running your business with greater peace of mind that your electrical equipment is more reliable than ever before.

In the biogas sector, we offer comprehensive solutions ranging from lightning protection systems to grounding concepts, ensuring that every aspect of your systems, down to the smallest and most sensitive components, is protected. Our solutions are always compliant with NFPA 780 and additional relevant industry standards.

To safeguard your biogas plant, we offer a range of specialized products tailored to the needs of the energy supply industry, including:

  • BLITZDUCTOR XT
  • Pipe clamp for explosion hazard areas
  • DEHNguard
  • Air-termination systems

Installing an isolated lightning protection system is a great start, but it’s not enough. To truly safeguard your systems, you need better solutions that also protect against internal overvoltage and surges from the power grid.

The best way to reduce transient voltage risks and the resulting costs and downtime is with a holistic protection concept. To identify what combination of products you need to be fully protected, we start every partnership with an in-depth risk assessment. Our knowledgeable team will perform a thorough evaluation of your plant, locate gaps and threats, and recommend targeted solutions.

Contact us today to schedule your assessment.

Request an assessment with DEHN today

Take back control with DEHN – Your partner in biogas plant protection

At DEHN, we understand the unique challenges faced by biogas plants and are committed to providing solutions that not only protect your facilities but also enhance your operational efficiency over the long term. Our expertise in transient surge and lightning protection helps equip your plant to handle all kinds of transient voltage whenever it strikes.

Don't leave your plant's safety to chance. Contact DEHN today and take the first step towards comprehensive protection by requesting a risk assessment.

Request your risk assessment