03.28.2023
RSG experts’ paper on larger wind turbines’ sound levels focus of webinar
RSG's Ken Kaliski (Principal) and Ryan Haac (Consultant) co-wrote a paper with experts from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Vermont Environmental Research Associates, Inc., titled “Effects of land-based wind turbine upsizing on community sound levels and power and energy density,” on wind turbine upsizing's impact on community sound and power output levels, published in the journal Applied Energy. Their paper will be the subject of a webinar on April 13, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT).
The team studied larger turbines' effects on micro-siting, power, energy density, and noise. They used desktop software to model larger turbines on two wind development sites and three turbine models representing past, present, and future periods for three manufacturers. The study aimed to maximize the number of turbines and total power output within each site's constraints.
The findings suggest that future larger turbines will lead to fewer turbines per land unit and lower community sound levels, but with increased capacity and energy output.
Key results include:
- Future turbines are over 60% taller, with 60% fewer turbines fitting in the same land area.
- Despite fewer turbines, future turbine-based projects have higher capacities and higher annual energy output per land area.
- Community sound levels at homes will be significantly lower, despite louder turbines.
- Lower sound levels affect homes near projects and those close to turbines on hosting parcels.
- Wider adoption of taller, high-capacity turbines will likely yield numerous benefits in the future.