Visit Wales Now
Visit Wales Now
Visit Wales and see some dramatic changes to the landscape
Experience the peace and tranquillity of
the Welsh countryside
To experience the sound of a small (76 metre) turbine, click here.
This may take a few seconds to download.
Wind turbines are big machines so they are bound to be
somewhat noisy. The noise from the mechanical gearing system of a turbine can be
quietened to a limited extent. But the major noise nuisance is the
low-frequency, penetrating sound that is emitted when the rotating blades pass
the turbine tower. So far there has been no success in eliminating this
low-frequency noise, and it can continue day and night for extended periods.
Low-frequency noise has been compared to the low thud
of base notes from loud music, or the sound of a helicopter at a distance. This type of noise is sometimes inaudible;
however, because it is ground borne, low-frequency noise tends to be felt
through vibrations, which can resonate with the human body. Some people find
these low-frequency vibrations very disturbing, causing headaches, dizziness and
sleeplessness.
The distance travelled varies with the wind conditions
and the terrain. Residents living more than a mile away from a wind turbine have
complained of the noise. The low-frequency noise travels further than the
audible noise, up to several miles. For some people this type of penetrating
noise is very disturbing; others feel no effects from low-frequency noise.
It’s a chance you’ll have to take as you travel through Wales.
|
Italian wind farm diary Mrs
Gail Mair lives in the hilly landscape of Tuscany, Each of the 2-megawatt turbines is the G87 model: hub height 78 metres (256 feet); rotor blade 43.5 metres (143 feet); total height 121.5 metres (400 feet). The
Gamesa website has this to say about the G87: Aerodynamic blade tip and
mechanical component design minimize noise emissions. In addition, Gamesa
has developed the Gamesa NRSTM noise control system, which permits
programming the noise emissions according to criteria such as date, time
or wind direction. This achieves the goals of local regulation compliance
as well as maximum production. Quite
a rosy picture. But the reality of turbine noise has been quite different
for Mrs Mair and her husband. In 2007, Mrs Mair kept a diary of her daily
experience of living near a wind turbine. It is a chilling first-hand
account of the effects of wind-turbine noise. |
Is the low-frequency noise a health hazard?
Recent research in Portugal, published in May 2007, shows there is a clear health risk to people living near wind turbines to a condition called Vibro-Acoustic Disease (VAD).
Vibro-Acoustic
Disease (VAD) results in damage to the brain, heart and lungs. It is
caused by prolonged exposure to infrasound and low-frequency noise. For
more information:
|
