Wind Farms and Shadow Flicker Assessments
Growth in wind power has been profound over the recent years. In year 2000 there was a global production of a mere 31 TWh. Now, this value had risen to in excess of 1,862 TWh, and the trend in this growth is expected to continue.
WKC has a significant track record of the systematic evaluation of wind power noise following established international guidelines. We offer the necessary and robust baseline assessment, screening (for relatively small or remote projects) and full acoustic modelling using internationally recognised modelling systems. We have conducted studies across Europe, Africa and the Middle East for private as well as World Bank funded Projects.
Our assessments are guided by the World Bank Group / International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) ‘Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines for Wind Energy’ as well as the local regulatory requirements. The guidelines provide good international industry practice and supports ETSU-R-97 in the measurement of background noise levels for the determination of noise limits at identified noise sensitive receptors.
Our services include:
Conducting windfarm screening assessments.
Undertaking baseline noise assessments in accordance with: ETSU, Report ETSU-R-97, “The Assessment and Rating of Noise from Wind Farms” (1997) Institute of Acoustics (IOA), A Good Practice Guide to the Application of ETSU-R-97 for the Assessment and Rating of Wind Turbine Noise” (2013).
Performing statistical analysis of baseline noise data for incorporation into the noise model.
Wind turbine noise modelling using either SoundPlan or WindPro software.
Predicting noise levels at sensitive receptors based on the operation of the wind turbines.
Development a curtailment programme in order to safeguard sensitive receptors from excessive noise levels.
As well as wind farm noise prediction assessments we also provide modelling services for shadow flicker assessment using (WindPro). Shadow flicker is the flickering effect caused when rotating wind turbine blades periodically cast shadows through constrained openings such as the windows of neighbouring properties.
Click on the links below to view the full list of our noise and vibration services: