Noise impact assessment on the basis of onsite acoustic noise immission measurements for a representative wind farm

Wind energy, comprising a techno-economically mature and clean technology, is not entirely free of impacts on the environment and human health. In this context, noise still comprises a major siting criterion, even hindering the approval for the installation of new wind power projects. The present study evaluates the noise level immission using real acoustic measurements of a representative wind farm, while these measurements are also compared with simulation results of two well-known noise immission prediction models. Emphasis is firstly given on the development of a reliable experimental process and secondly on the estimation of the real noise impact of the existing wind turbines dissociated by the background noise for several wind speed values and distances from the wind farm. According to the results obtained, validation of the prediction models is provided by observing a fairly good agreement between experimental and simulated results. Furthermore, wind farms may be characterized as relatively low noise emission sources, compared to other industrial units or conventional power plants, as the sound pressure level (SPL) at a distance of 300 m away is almost 45 dB(A), i.e. not a prohibitive value for human activities in the wind farm’s broader area.

► This study evaluates the noise level immission using real acoustic measurements.
► Emphasis is given on the development of a reliable experimental process.
► Based on the results, wind farms are considered relatively low noise emission sources.
► The experimental measurements are compared with simulation results.
► Validation of the noise level prediction models is obtained.