Wind energy is a clean renewable and its
benefits are considered greater than the disadvantages. It has had the fastest
growth rate among the renewable sources of energy over the past few decades due
to its competitive price and mature technology, which has resulted in the
widespread deployment of wind turbines in rural communities. However, even
though wind farms represent environmentally friendly projects, they frequently
generate public resistance. Wind turbines are socially controversial because of
their visual and acoustic impacts.
The aim of this
work was to design a methodology for the preliminary evaluation of potential
acoustic impact of wind farms. For this aim, three steps have been proposed:
identification, characterization and assessment of the acoustic impact during
the construction, operation and decommissioning phase.
The studied wind farm was located in Murcia Region, with a surface
of 171 hectares and 16 wind turbines with a rated power of 32 MW and 2480
equivalent hours. The calculation of noise levels was made bearing in mind
three possibilities: minimum power (60.9 dB (A)), intermediate power (68 dB
(A)) and maximum power (75.3 dB (A)), taking into account wind turbine
manufacturer information. A noise map was made for each wind turbine,
considering the effect of distance in noise mitigation. And background noise
level was incorporated.
Obtained results in
the studied area suggested that at a maximum power, at 500 meters of wind
turbines, noise level was lower than the reference level established in the
legislation. And proposed methodology could help to determine and to evaluate
the best location for new wind farm projects. Moreover, this method could be
used as a consulting tool for public organizations and private institutions,
being quick, concise and clear. Obtained results for the studied wind farm
project suggested that almost all the area showed noise levels lower than
established background noise level.
Article by Jose
Molina-Ruiz, et al, from Spain.
Full access: http://mrw.so/Cv43A
Image by johnnyxenon, from Flickr-cc.
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