Experience of reviewing wind farm noise assessments for Scottish local authorities and the implementation of the IOA Good Practice Guide to the Application of ETSU-R-97 for the Assessment and Rating of Wind Turbine Noise

摘要

ACCON UK has been carrying out reviews of noise assessments for onshore wind farms submitted in support of planning applications to two Scottish local authorities. This work has enabled us to review the similarities and differences between the approaches of a number of acoustic consultants. This paper considers the approaches used for background noise surveys, noise prediction modelling, the selection of noise criteria and limits and the assessment of cumulative noise. Most of the assessments considered have been carried out since the publication by the UK's Institute of Acoustics of their Good Practice Guide. An overview of the success of the Good Practice Guide in standardising the implementation of noise assessments based on ETSU-R-97 is therefore also presented. Case studies are discussed which highlight the approach to cumulative assessments and the different cumulative assessment results which can be obtained for common receptors when assessed for neighbouring wind farm developments.