Wind Turbine Noise Regulation · Wind Turbine Noise Regulation Perspectives in New England July...
21
Wind Turbine Noise Regulation Perspectives in New England July 2010 Kenneth Kaliski, P.E., INCE Bd. Cert. New England Wind Energy Education Project Webinar #2
Transcript of Wind Turbine Noise Regulation · Wind Turbine Noise Regulation Perspectives in New England July...
Wind Turbine Noise RegulationPerspectives in New England
July 2010
Kenneth Kaliski, P.E., INCE Bd. Cert.New England Wind Energy Education ProjectWebinar #2
2
Typical noise impact study process
Identify preliminary turbine locations and sound power of turbine
Monitor background sound levels in representative areas (protocol-depending)
Conduct sound propagation modeling
Compare results to standards or guidelines
Refine turbine locations and remodel
Prepare report
Present testimony
3
Determine sound power level of the turbine
405060708090
100110120
20 31.5 50 80 125 200 315 500 800 1250
2000
3150
5000
8000
1/3 Octave Band Center Frequency
A-we
ight
ed S
ound
Pow
er L
evel
(dBA
)
Weighted sound pow er
Unw eighted sound pow er
Sound power of various turbines
Sound power by frequency
92
94
96
98
100
102
104
106
108
110
112
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
Soun
d Po
wer
Lev
el (
dBA
)
Turbine Output (kW)
4
Background sound monitoring
Identify sensitive receivers –homes, places of worship, schools, wilderness areas, campgrounds, etc.
Set up sound level monitoringShorter time frame if background levels are not critical to the standardLonger time frame for relative standardsSeasonal, if important
5
Propagation modeling
ISO 9613
Sound power
Spreading Loss
Atmospheric attenuation
Barriers
Ground attenuation
Has significant impact on model results
Meteorology
Wind direction and speed effects
Sound generally propagates worse (i.e. lower levels at receivers)
UpwindUnder an unstable atmosphere, like sunny daysWith lower wind speeds and flatter vertical wind speed gradients
What is being modeled
•Modeling is typically done to estimate the maximum level, but we can also estimate sound levels under other conditions
7
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
Hou
rs P
er Y
ear
at S
peci
fied
Lev
el
Sound Level (dBA)
What has been regulated
Total level
Usually expressed in units of A-weighted decibelsLevel by frequency
Full or 1/3 octave bandsTonality
Pure tone penalties and limitationsImpulsiveness
8
Components of good regulations
Detail noise limits and parameters
Include application requirements
Detail components of pre-construction noise studies, including
—Details of background sound monitoring—Acceptable models and parameters—Spatial limits of monitoring and modeling—Modeled receivers
Address post-constructions issues
9
Components of good regulations
Sound level limits
AbsoluteRelativeHybrid
Low frequency sound
Limit noise-induced vibration (ANSI S12.2)
Tonality (ANSI S12.9 Part 4)
Time-averaging
1-second, 10-minute, 1-hour, nighttime, daytimeTime above
Percent of any hour, day, or month
10
Additional components of regulations
Exemptions and exceptions
Construction noiseMaintenanceEmergenciesWaivers
Complaint response procedure
Post-construction monitoring
Participation guidelines
11
Examples of regulatory approaches
New Zealand
Specific to wind turbine soundMonitoring and modeling protocolsHybrid standard (greater of an absolute and relative level) with no maximumUses regression to determine wind speed/SPL correlationPenalties for tonality and impulsivenessDetails compliance protocol
12
Examples of regulatory approaches
Oregon 340-035-0035 statewide noise rules
Existing regulation modified to address wind turbinesExisting regulations consisted of hybrid standard–greater of a relative and absolute level, with a maximumExisting regulations included tonal penalties and provided optional standard for octave bands
Wind turbine portion of standard established rules on participation and identified options for evaluating existing levels.
13
New England States’ Wind Turbine Noise Regs
Maine
Statewide “Site Law” not specific to wind turbines—Absolute limits with lower “quiet area” limits—Measurement procedures—Penalties for
TonalityShort duration repetitive sounds
—Includes submission requirements—Exemptions—Variances—Waivers
14
New England States’ Wind Turbine Noise Regs
Connecticut
Statewide noise regulations not specific to wind turbines—Absolute standard (except in high noise areas)—Penalties for
Impulse noiseTonesInfrasound and ultrasound
—Measurement procedures—Exclusions and exemptions—Variances—Violations and Enforcement provisions
15
New England States’ Wind Turbine Noise Regs
Massachusetts
Wind farm precedents—Varied approaches to setting standards
Massachusetts Dept. of Air Quality Control Policy—Relative standard at property line and home—No pure tones allowed—No consistent approach on whether an how it applies to wind turbines
16
New England States’ Wind Turbine Noise Regs
New Hampshire
No statewide noise regulationsSite Evaluation Committee Precedent—Absolute limit—Post-construction monitoring required
Vermont
No statewide noise regulationsPublic Service Board Section 248 precedents—Absolute limit measured inside and outside home—No pure tones allowed—Post-construction monitoring required
17
Mitigation
•Re-siting project turbines• Increase setbacks• Reduce turbulence• Identify quieter turbines or components
•Automatic controls to slow tip speeds/reduce noise under specific conditions
•Improve noise insulation on target homes
•Increase the number of project participants
18
Kenneth Kaliski, P.E., INCE Bd. Cert.
Resource Systems Group, Inc.
55 Railroad Row
White River Junction, VT 05001
19
20
21
Different modeling parameters yield different results
30
35
40
45
50
4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00
Soun
d Pressure Level (d
BA)
Time of Day
Monitored Level Model Parameters 1 Model Parmeters 2 Model Parameters 3
