Effects of Turbine Noise from Wind Farms on Local Residents' Decision to Adopt Mitigation Measures

摘要

Although considered environmentally friendly, wind energy is not environmental impact free. Noise is the most frequent reason for local communities to oppose the installation of wind farms. The literature shows that people feel annoyed by the presence of noise generated by wind turbines and that the annoyance is related to proximity. Aiming at characterizing the connection between wind turbine noise, annoyance, and mitigating actions, we propose a novel conceptual framework. The proposed framework posits that actual sound pressure levels of wind turbines determines individual homes' noise-abatement decisions; in addition, it analyses the role that self-reported annoyance has on the relationship between actual noise pressure levels and individuals' actions. The application of this framework to a particular case study reveals that noise annoyance indeed constitutes a link between noise and the adoption of mitigating actions. The link is either revealed through actual changes in the individual homes or by the intention to take such actions. Nevertheless, the noise also directly affects the decision to adopt those actions, independently of the reported annoyance.