Effect of Wind Farm Noise on Local Residents' Decision to Adopt Mitigation Measures.

Anabela Botelho,Pedro Arezes,Carlos Bernardo,Lígia Pinto,Hernâni Dias

doi:10.3390/ijerph14070753

Anabela Botelho, Pedro Arezes + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14070753

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Abstract

Wind turbines’ noise is frequently pointed out as the reason for local communities’ objection to the installation of wind farms. The literature suggests that local residents feel annoyed by such noise and that, in many instances, this is significant enough to make them adopt noise-abatement interventions on their homes. Aiming at characterizing the relationship 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 determine individual homes’ noise-abatement decisions; in addition, the framework analyzes the role that self-reported annoyance, and perception of noise levels, plays on the relationship between actual noise pressure levels and those decisions. The application of this framework to a particular case study shows that noise perception and annoyance constitutes a link between the two. Importantly, however, noise also directly affects people’s decision to adopt mitigating measures, independently of the reported annoyance.

Highlights

Wind has been used as a power source almost since the rise of human civilization
Where Ri is the binary response of the ith individual concerning whether or not she/he has spent or has considered spending resources on house retrofitting (“revealed information”); Ai is the binary response of the ith individual concerning whether or not she/he feels annoyed or very annoyed with wind turbine noise; SPLi is the actual wind turbine sound pressure level outside of the dwelling of the ith respondent; X1i and X2i are vectors of control variables thought to affect Ri and Ai, respectively
Wind farm projects are frequently opposed by local communities on the grounds that residents develop detrimental physiological and psychological symptoms associated with wind turbine noise

Summary

Introduction

Wind has been used as a power source almost since the rise of human civilization. In the most advanced economies, its intermittent and () unpredictable nature, made it uncompetitive with other power sources, namely those based on steam. Due to technological developments, its use, especially for electricity generation, has been increasing worldwide [1]. Wind power is considered to be an environmentally-friendly energy source, technologically mature and economically competitive. The installation of wind turbines (WTs) has consequences in the use of land and may have other negative side effects. The effect of noise on human health and annoyance is of paramount importance. The measurement of annoyance is highly subjective, the concept can be understood as a cause of irritation or vexation; a nuisance.

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