Experimental Identification of Acoustic Emission Characteristics of Large Wind Turbines with Emphasis on Infrasound and Low-Frequency Noise

Abstract This manuscript describes a range of technical deliberations undertaken by the authors during their work as members of the Australian Government’s Independent Scientific Committee on Wind Turbines. Central to these deliberations was the requirement upon the committee to improve understanding and monitoring of the potential impacts of sound from wind turbines (including low frequency and infrasound) on health and the environment. The paper examines existing wind turbine sound limits, possible perceptual and physiological effects of wind turbine noise, aspects of the effects of wind turbine sound on sleep health and quality of life, low-frequency noise limits, the concept of annoyance including alternative causes of it and the potential for it to be affected by low-frequency noise, the influence of amplitude modulation and tonality, sound measurement and analysis and management strategies. In so doing it provides an objective basis for harmonisation across Australia of provisions for siting and monitoring of wind turbines, which currently vary from state to state, contributing to contention and potential inequities between Australians, depending on their place of residence.

Download Full-text

Danish Regulation of Low Frequency Noise from Wind Turbines

Journal of Low Frequency Noise Vibration and Active Control ◽

10.1260/0263-0923.31.4.239 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 31 (4) ◽

pp. 239-246 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Jørgen Jakobsen

Keyword(s):

Wind Turbines ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Frequency Noise ◽

Low Frequency Noise

Download Full-text

Effects of low-frequency noise from wind turbines on heart rate variability in healthy individuals

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-97107-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chun-Hsiang Chiu ◽

Shih-Chun Candice Lung ◽

Nathan Chen ◽

Jing-Shiang Hwang ◽

Ming-Chien Mark Tsou

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Wind Turbines ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Frequency Noise ◽

Low Frequency Noise ◽

Residential Communities ◽

Field Campaigns ◽

The Relationship

AbstractWind turbines generate low-frequency noise (LFN, 20–200 Hz), which poses health risks to nearby residents. This study aimed to assess heart rate variability (HRV) responses to LFN exposure and to evaluate the LFN exposure (dB, LAeq) inside households located near wind turbines. Thirty subjects living within a 500 m radius of wind turbines were recruited. The field campaigns for LFN (LAeq) and HRV monitoring were carried out in July and December 2018. A generalized additive mixed model was employed to evaluate the relationship between HRV changes and LFN. The results suggested that the standard deviations of all the normal to normal R–R intervals were reduced significantly, by 3.39%, with a 95% CI = (0.15%, 6.52%) per 7.86 dB (LAeq) of LFN in the exposure range of 38.2–57.1 dB (LAeq). The indoor LFN exposure (LAeq) ranged between 30.7 and 43.4 dB (LAeq) at a distance of 124–330 m from wind turbines. Moreover, households built with concrete and equipped with airtight windows showed the highest LFN difference of 13.7 dB between indoors and outdoors. In view of the adverse health impacts of LFN exposure, there should be regulations on the requisite distances of wind turbines from residential communities for health protection.

Download Full-text