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There’s a Common Misconception:
“Are wind turbines noisy?”
However:
The noise from wind power plants is lower than that from industrial activities or highways.
Explanation:
From the outset, wind turbines (PLTB) are typically built in areas with relatively high wind speeds, so the background wind noise is already noisy before the PLTB is built. With numerous wind turbines, noise is expected, and the noise from the turbines themselves is relatively low (around 55 decibels, roughly the same as an air conditioner exhaust), compared to the noise of a car, which is around 80 decibels. Despite this relatively low level, wind turbine noise is always considered by developers in their Environmental Impact Assessment (ESIA) studies and mitigated during the pre-feasibility study by providing a buffer, or minimum distance from residential areas, to minimize disturbance. Noise is a function of distance from the source. Different countries and regions have their own standards regarding the distance.
Furthermore, the latest wind turbine technology generally incorporates blade designs with serrations or serrations on the trailing edge of the blade to reduce noise and prevent sound from spreading.
On average, a large, land-based utility-scale wind turbine produces noise in the range of 35-45 dB when heard from 300 meters away (the closest distance wind turbines are typically located to a home or building). This means the noise produced is no louder than a typical refrigerator (50 dB) and produces far less noise pollution than average city car traffic (70 dB).
Technically, the following measures have been implemented to reduce wind turbine noise (Windexchange.energy.gov, 2024):
- Providing a minimal distance/buffer between wind turbines and residential areas.
- Using turbines with serrated blade designs to reduce wind vortices and their associated noise.
- Ensuring an Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) before projects are funded and proceed.
IESR Words
- “Although noise from wind power plants is relatively low, it remains a major concern in Environmental Impact Assessment (ESIA) studies. Mitigation is carried out from the pre-feasibility study by establishing a buffer or minimum distance from residential areas, as noise is a function of distance from the source. This distance standard varies by country or region. Furthermore, the latest wind turbine technology has adopted a blade design with serrations on the trailing edge to reduce and prevent sound propagation.”
– Pintoko Aji, Data and Modeling Group Research Coordinator, IESR
Description for
Children (14-18 years):
You: “Imagine standing on the side of a busy highway. You’ll hear the sounds of cars, motorcycles, and trucks passing by all the time. The noise from this traffic is very loud and constant, right?”
Participant: “Yes, the noise from the highway is indeed very noisy.”
“Now, imagine you’re in a field far from the highway, where a wind turbine is running. The noise from a modern wind turbine is about the same as a refrigerator at home, about 35-45 decibels. So, even though there is noise, it’s much quieter and softer than the noise from traffic on the highway.”
Participant: “Oh, so the noise from a wind turbine isn’t actually that loud, compared to the noise from the highway.”
You: “That’s right. The noise from a wind turbine is quieter and less disruptive than the sound of cars on the highway. Therefore, wind turbines can be a good choice for generating electricity without creating noise. Furthermore, the placement of any energy source needs to consider social and environmental aspects, and the construction of wind turbines also requires attention to their distance.
Wind turbines are usually placed far from homes. For example, they should be placed at least 300 meters from homes so that the turbine’s noise is barely audible from the house. Furthermore, wind turbines are now built with the latest technology, which is more advanced and quieter than previous models. The turbine blades are specially designed to reduce the sound produced when rotating.”
Description for
Adults (19 years and over):
The placement of any energy source must consider social and environmental aspects, and the construction of wind turbines (PLTB) requires careful consideration of their distance.
Welcome wind turbines are typically located far from homes. For example, they are placed at least 300 meters from homes so that the turbine noise is barely audible. Furthermore, wind turbines today are built with the latest technology, which is more sophisticated and quieter than previous models. Turbine blades are specially designed to reduce the noise produced during rotation.
The noise from wind turbines is much quieter than the noise from highways or airports. Therefore, in everyday life, the noise from wind turbines will be no louder than the noise of vehicles we are used to.