Massachusetts Wind Turbine Acoustics Research Project—Goals and preliminary results

Abstract

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts (USA) has 43 operating wind turbine projects of 100 kW or more. At several of these projects, noise complaints have been made to state authorities. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, which provides funding for early stage analysis and development of wind power projects, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, which regulates noise, launched the project to increase understanding of (1) wind turbine acoustic impacts, taking into account variables such as wind turbine size, technology, wind speed, topography and distance, and (2) the generation, propagation, and measurement of sound around wind turbine projects, to inform policy-makers on how pre- and post-construction wind turbine noise studies should be conducted. This study involved the collection of detailed sound and meteorological data at five locations. The resulting database and interim reports contain information on infrasound and audible frequencies, including amplitude modulation, tonality, and level. Analyses will include how the effects of wind shear and other variables may affect these parameters. Preliminary findings reflect the effects of meteorological conditions on wind turbine sound generation and propagation.