Lightning research and lightning protection technologies

摘要

Welcome to this special issue, which provides a summary of recent progress in lightning research and lightning protection technologies based on selected papers presented at the 31st International Conference on Lightning Protection (ICLP), held in Vienna, Austria, on September 2nd-7th, 2012. The ICLP is an interdisciplinary forum that promotes the exchange of scientific knowledge and information among scientists and engineers engaged in research and practical application on lightning and lightning protection. The conference, established in 1951, aims also at ensuring the effective transfer of new knowledge from lightning research into practice for the benefit of society. Its 31st edition, hosted jointly by the Austrian Electrotechnical Association (OVE), department ALDIS (Austrian Lightning Detection and Information System), and the Vienna University of Technology, was organized into 34 technical sessions and covered topics ranging from lightning physics, medicine, education to lightning standards and protection of structures, power, electronic and renewable energy systems.