Wind Turbines Noise: Predictions and Measurements

Wind turbines noise generation is a complex phenomenon due to the effects of air interaction during the rotation of the blades and the noise emission is one of the problems encountered during wind turbines operation. The theoretical evaluation of noise propagation due to wind turbine is due applying the ISO 9613 standard In this paper the numerical simulations of the noise propagation of wind towers are compared with the experimental measurements performed inside houses. The acoustic measurements were carried in two different houses. In the first case the house is located near a wind farm consisting of 3 MW towers. In the second case the house is located near a 200 KW wind tower. The application of the theoretical model according to ISO 9613 provides the interior of the houses a noise emission value equal to Lp = 37 dBA. The acoustic measurements provide a value exceeding even 50 dBA, a value that changes according to the speed and direction of the wind. The application of the numerical model underestimates the actual measured value.