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Wind turbine sound power measurements
Stephen E Keith1, Katya Feder1, Sonia A Voicescu1
1Health Canada, Environmental and Radiation Health Sciences Directorate, Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau, 775 Brookfield Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1C1, Canada.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|April 3, 2016
Summary
This study validated wind turbine sound power levels against manufacturer data, finding them consistent. Extending measurements to low frequencies showed C-weighted levels were slightly higher than A-weighted, with minimal impact on data analysis.
Area of Science:
- Acoustics
- Environmental Science
- Renewable Energy Engineering
Background:
- Manufacturer-provided sound power levels are crucial for wind turbine environmental impact assessments.
- Previous studies have relied on manufacturer data, necessitating independent validation.
- Health Canada's Community Noise and Health Study (CNHS) examined noise from ten wind turbine models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally validate the sound power level data provided by manufacturers for ten wind turbine models.
- To assess the consistency of measured sound power levels with manufacturer-reported data.
- To investigate the relationship between A-weighted and C-weighted sound levels for wind turbines.
Main Methods:
- Measurements were conducted on ten wind turbine models following the IEC 61400-11 standard.
- Experimental sound power levels were compared against manufacturer-supplied data.
- Sound power level data were extended to 16 Hz to calculate C-weighted levels.
Main Results:
- Measured wind turbine sound power levels were consistent with manufacturer data within measurement uncertainty.
- C-weighted sound levels were, on average, 11.5 dB higher than A-weighted levels (SD 1.7 dB).
- A simple, statistically consistent relationship was observed between A- and C-weighted levels.
Conclusions:
- Manufacturer sound power level data for the examined wind turbines are reliable.
- The consistent difference between A- and C-weighted levels suggests minimal impact on noise analysis outcomes.
- Experimental validation supports the use of manufacturer data in environmental noise assessments.
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