INITIAL FINDINGS OF THE UK COTTON FARM WIND FARM LONG TERM COMMUNITY NOISE MONITORING PROJECT. PROCEEDINGS OF INTER-NOISE 2014

摘要

This paper provides early results of a long term study of community impact from wind farm noise and uses of the data obtained. A continuously recorded database of noise collected under different meteorological conditions has allowed detailed analysis of particular characteristics such as amplitude modulation and also the reliability of assessment methodologies for predicting and quantifying impact. Surprising outcomes are explored including upwind impact. In 2013 MAS Environmental established a permanent monitoring station to record and publish data online located 600m from the nearest turbine to correlate the impact upon the community and provide an extensive database. This paper maps the evolution of the project. Online data enables a wider study of the effect of meteorological change on noise immission in a flat eastern area of the UK. Anyone can independently observe and listen to the audible elements of the noise that people complain about. This tool aids understanding as well as predicting times of likely adverse impact. The database has enabled testing of proposed controls, particularly in relation to audible amplitude modulation and demonstrated the recent Renewables UK proposed control mechanism fails. Data obtained challenges blade stall research claims as the primary cause of far field AM and wind farm noise prediction methodologies.