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Can road traffic mask sound from wind turbines? Response to wind turbine sound at different levels of road traffic sound

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  • Pedersen, Eja
  • van den Berg, Frits
  • Bakker, Roel
  • Bouma, Jelte

Abstract

Wind turbines are favoured in the switch-over to renewable energy. Suitable sites for further developments could be difficult to find as the sound emitted from the rotor blades calls for a sufficient distance to residents to avoid negative effects. The aim of this study was to explore if road traffic sound could mask wind turbine sound or, in contrast, increases annoyance due to wind turbine noise. Annoyance of road traffic and wind turbine noise was measured in the WINDFARMperception survey in the Netherlands in 2007 (n=725) and related to calculated levels of sound. The presence of road traffic sound did not in general decrease annoyance with wind turbine noise, except when levels of wind turbine sound were moderate (35-40Â dB(A) Lden) and road traffic sound level exceeded that level with at least 20Â dB(A). Annoyance with both noises was intercorrelated but this correlation was probably due to the influence of individual factors. Furthermore, visibility and attitude towards wind turbines were significantly related to noise annoyance of modern wind turbines. The results can be used for the selection of suitable sites, possibly favouring already noise exposed areas if wind turbine sound levels are sufficiently low.

Suggested Citation

  • Pedersen, Eja & van den Berg, Frits & Bakker, Roel & Bouma, Jelte, 2010. "Can road traffic mask sound from wind turbines? Response to wind turbine sound at different levels of road traffic sound," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(5), pages 2520-2527, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:38:y:2010:i:5:p:2520-2527
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    1. Ronny Klæboe & Hanne Beate Sundfør, 2016. "Windmill Noise Annoyance, Visual Aesthetics, and Attitudes towards Renewable Energy Sources," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-19, July.
    2. Dai, Kaoshan & Bergot, Anthony & Liang, Chao & Xiang, Wei-Ning & Huang, Zhenhua, 2015. "Environmental issues associated with wind energy – A review," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 911-921.
    3. Radun, Jenni & Maula, Henna & Saarinen, Pekka & Keränen, Jukka & Alakoivu, Reijo & Hongisto, Valtteri, 2022. "Health effects of wind turbine noise and road traffic noise on people living near wind turbines," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    4. Kaldellis, J.K. & Garakis, K. & Kapsali, M., 2012. "Noise impact assessment on the basis of onsite acoustic noise immission measurements for a representative wind farm," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 306-314.
    5. Luigi Maffei & Tina Iachini & Massimiliano Masullo & Francesco Aletta & Francesco Sorrentino & Vincenzo Paolo Senese & Francesco Ruotolo, 2013. "The Effects of Vision-Related Aspects on Noise Perception of Wind Turbines in Quiet Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-17, April.
    6. Zerrahn, Alexander, 2017. "Wind Power and Externalities," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 245-260.
    7. Małgorzata Pawlaczyk-Łuszczyńska & Kamil Zaborowski & Adam Dudarewicz & Małgorzata Zamojska-Daniszewska & Małgorzata Waszkowska, 2018. "Response to Noise Emitted by Wind Farms in People Living in Nearby Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-36, July.
    8. Tabassum-Abbasi, & Premalatha, M. & Abbasi, Tasneem & Abbasi, S.A., 2014. "Wind energy: Increasing deployment, rising environmental concerns," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 270-288.
    9. Petrova, Maria A., 2016. "From NIMBY to acceptance: Toward a novel framework — VESPA — For organizing and interpreting community concerns," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 1280-1294.
    10. Pohl, Johannes & Hübner, Gundula & Mohs, Anja, 2012. "Acceptance and stress effects of aircraft obstruction markings of wind turbines," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 592-600.
    11. Alamir, Mahmoud A. & Hansen, Kristy L. & Zajamsek, Branko & Catcheside, Peter, 2019. "Subjective responses to wind farm noise: A review of laboratory listening test methods," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 1-1.
    12. Wang, Shifeng & Wang, Sicong, 2015. "Impacts of wind energy on environment: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 437-443.
    13. Nicola Mucci & Veronica Traversini & Chiara Lorini & Simone De Sio & Raymond P. Galea & Guglielmo Bonaccorsi & Giulio Arcangeli, 2020. "Urban Noise and Psychological Distress: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-22, September.
    14. Lida Liao & Yuliang Ling & Bin Huang & Xu Zhou & Hongbo Luo & Peiling Xie & Ying Wu & Jialiang Huang, 2020. "Toward a Survey-Based Assessment of Wind Turbine Noise: The Impacts on Wellbeing of Local Residents," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-16, November.
    15. Christidis, Tanya & Lewis, Geoffrey & Bigelow, Philip, 2017. "Understanding support and opposition to wind turbine development in Ontario, Canada and assessing possible steps for future development," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 93-103.

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    Keywords

    Wind turbine noise Siting Masking;

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