Noise

Noise

The issue of noise produced by wind turbines is highly controversial. Controversy stems from the fact that despite there being Government guidelines in assessing noise impact, there have been some very serious noise complaints from residents who live in close proximity to turbines, not just in the UK but worldwide.

Not all wind farms are noisy (a recent published statistic gave the figure as 1 in 6 farms have received complaints) and no-one can be certain exactly what the noise implications would be until the site is operational.

What type of noise is it?

Wind turbines produce three types of sound;
- Mechanical noise from the gearbox and generators
- Noise from the movement of the blades as they pass the hub (known as blade thump)
- Low frequency infrasound.

Some research has suggested that low frequency sound and aerodynamic modulation (blade thump) can cause health problems for people sensitive to its effects.

Points to Consider:

The Government is aware of noise problems and the associated public health issues but has chosen to cover them up in order to build as many wind farms as possible. Click on this link for more information. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6954565.ece

In 2007 Scotland issued planning guidelines for renewable energy (SPP 6) which recommended that separation distance of turbines from the edges of villages should be 2km.

Reports from the UK Noise Association and others suggest that the minimum separation of wind turbines from dwellings needs to be increased (recommendations range from 1.5km to 1.5 miles) until comprehensive scientific research can fully evaluate their impact.

The Government recommended methodology (ETSU-R-97) used by planning authorities to assess wind farm noise was developed back in 1996 using data from turbines only 40m to 60m high and has been widely criticised by many acoustics experts.

Compliance with ETSU-R-97 gives no guarantee that there will be no noise problems for people living in the area once the wind farm is built.
Noise can travel long distances. Predicting how it will travel in complex topographies such as ours (with gentle rolling hills) is very difficult, if not almost impossible.

Developers cannot guarantee that Aerodynamic Modulation (blade thump) will not occur.

Noise will vary depending on the force and direction of the wind and the level of background noise.

The noise impact will be felt more acutely in rural areas with existing low level background noise such as Greatworth, Stuchbury and Helmdon.

Please click on the links below for more information on noise.

http://www.viewsofscotland.org/library/turbines_and_health.php

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6954565.ece

http://www.windturbinenoisehealthhumanrights.com/

http://www.kselected.com/?page_id=6560

http://windvigilance.com/sleep_disturbance_ahe.aspx

http://www.countryguardian.net/ETSU-R-97%20%20Why%20it%20is%20 Wrong%20(1).pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTZtNwp6u00&feature=related