Low frequency sound and infrasound from wind turbines – A status update

摘要

A common issue raised with wind energy developers and operators of utility-scale windrnturbines is whether the operation of their wind turbines may create unacceptable levels ofrnlow frequency noise and infrasound. In order to answer this question, one of the majorrnwind energy developers commissioned a scientific study of their wind turbine fleet. Thernstudy consisted of three parts: 1) a world-wide literature search to determine unbiasedrnguidelines and standards used to evaluate low frequency sound and infrasound, 2) a fieldrnstudy to measure wind turbine noise outside and within nearby residences, and 3) arncomparison of the field results to the guidelines and standards. The guidelines andrnstandards evaluated were: audibility including infrasound; ANSI S12.2 for interior soundsrn– both acceptability of low frequency sounds in bedrooms, schools, and hospitals andrnperceptible rattles and vibration; ANSI S12.9 Part 4 for thresholds of annoyance andrnbeginning of rattles; and certain European criteria for low frequency and infrasound. Thisrnpaper presents the results of the detailed study and concludes that there should be nornadverse effects from infrasound or low frequency noise at distances greater than 305rnmeters from wind farms with the wind turbine types measured.