Noise and Vibration Issues of Wind Turbines and Their Impact – A Review

Abstract

Wind power is a rapidly growing technology, with an estimated 35% of national end-use electricity demand to be met from wind by 2050 in the US. With such a projected rapid growth, it is necessary to improve and innovate relevant technological areas with due considerations of possible impacts of wind energy harnessing through wind turbines. This paper presents a systematic review of current literature on the issues of noise and vibration of wind turbines and their impact on human health and wild life. The paper reviews the literature on the issues of noise and vibration in wind turbines, the generation mechanisms, the propagation, the impact on human health and wild life. The current status of technology and future developments to mitigate the health and environmental impacts of wind turbine noise and vibration are also reviewed. The paper includes a review of current standards on measurement of acoustic noise of wind turbines and data analysis.

Prediction of wind turbine noise propagation

“…A-weighting corresponds approximately to the 40-phon equal-loudness curve and applies to the human ear’s response at low to medium sound levels. It is the current International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) acoustic standard for sound and noise measurement (Brüel & Kjær, 2000; Saavedra and Samanta, 2015). The method contained in ISO 9613-2 predicts the equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level under meteorological conditions favorable to propagation.…”

“…It is imperative to consider these potential issues in view of the US Department of Energy’s projected target of 35% of the US energy coming from wind by 2035 (US Department of Energy, 2015). Noise generated by turbines can be perceived to cause annoyance, sleep disturbance, as well as self-reported instances of stress and quality-of-life issues (Health Canada, 2014; Michaud et al, 2016; Saavedra and Samanta, 2015).…”