In this paper,the existing lightning strike protection problems of distributed hydropower grid are analyzed in terms of grid-connected hydropower lines,hydropower stations and customers,and the lightning strike risk composition and risk sharing differences between grid-connected hydropower lines and normal ones are presented. Then,the lightning strike risk index is proposed. Moreover,a lightning strike risk evaluation model for the power
grid with distributed hydropower is established,which considers the lightning strike exposure,the probability of line failure,and the losses. Finally,this model is used for evaluating Shaoguan power grid which contains various hydropower stations. It is found that lightnig risks mainly occcur on the grid-connected hydropower lines rather than the normal ones,and that lightning strikes may result in high power failure and severe waste of renewable resources. The paper points out that such lightning strike risks can only be avoided by building smart distribution grids and enhancing the electricity market. To this end,several measures to reduce lightning strike risks are also proposed.