Acknowledging The Problem Of Low Frequency Noise From Wind Turbines

Low frequency noise from wind turbines has caused a bit of a stir in the renewable energy sector. A popular form of renewable energy, the wind power industry continues to experience growth of approximately 30% per year with wind farms being built worldwide. With this growth has come some indications that their operation may have adverse effects on some members of the population.

The topic of wind turbine noise contributing to health problems is one that has met with its fair share of skepticism. However, studies have shown that some individuals may in fact be less tolerant of exposure to the low-frequency noise associated with wind farms. These individuals report feelings of nausea and discomfort similar to those experienced with seasickness. The effect is different with each individual, as is the effect of seasickness. In addition, many report general annoyance, anxiety and stress, uneasiness, lack of concentration, headaches, dizziness and disrupted sleep patterns.

As explained by Dr. Malcolm A. Swinbanks, disbelief is common, particularly from those who visit wind farm sites and experience no ill effects. However, as mentioned, sensitivity is different for every individual and due to the nature of sound travel, distance can increase the effects that are felt. As well, sensitivity to low frequency noise can increase with exposure.

Dr. Swinbanks explains the reporting of sleep disturbances as due to the different hearing tolerances that individuals may experience as day progresses into night. Low frequency noise has a penetrating nature, but during the day when we are exposed to a variety of noises, our hearing tolerance threshold is much higher and the ability of the noise to intrude is minimal. During the evening and night hours, sound levels around us drop significantly, which in turn lowers our hearing tolerance threshold, allowing low frequency noise to be significantly more intrusive.

Dr. Swinbanks goes on to explain that efforts to reduce the noise such as closing doors and even burying one’s head under a pillow, may in fact increase exposure as this type of noise tends to penetrate barriers and these actions further lower our hearing tolerance threshold. When thinking this over, I am reminded of the sleeping patterns of my youngest child who would wake at the slightest noise. When a radio was left playing softly in his room, he was able to sleep undisturbed by household noises. So from that perspective, what Dr. Swinbanks is saying makes a lot of sense to me.

While it may be hard for those of us who have not experienced ill effects from low frequency noise for wind turbines, to relate to the symptoms and discomfort that others feel, it is wrong to simply dismiss their concerns out of hand. After all, there are many recognized health concerns today, that at some point in time were said to be figments of the sufferers imagination. Unfortunately, problems that go unrecognized, also go uncorrected. It is only by acknowledging these problems that steps will be taken to find corrective action and possible regulation of the wind power industry.

The goal of renewable energy is to help our planet to remain a place where we are able to go about our daily business with minimal impact to the environment. The addition of technologies that cause noise pollution is not part of that goal. It does, however, appear to be one of the side effects of the wind power industry. By acknowledging the problem of low frequency noise from wind turbines, focus can be turned from denial towards improvement and elimination.

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SherryD
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Consider Using Wind Power For Home Energy

Are you looking for a renewable, alternative source of clean and eco-friendly power for your home? Consider using wind power for home energy. Did you know that some homes are able to reduce their on grid power consumption by up to 95% or more?

Wind is one of the most abundant of the available renewable energy resources Mother Nature provides and it is free of charge. Unlike solar power that is limited by the hours the sun is available, the wind blows whether it is night or day.

Of course, when thinking of using a residential wind turbine, you will need to first determine if you are living in an area that receives sufficient wind year-round. It is estimated that approximately 17 million homes in the US alone have sufficient wind conditions to make using wind power for home energy a realistic alternative. Wind maps can be purchase to help you determine if your home is suitably located in an area that receives an average wind speed of 9 mph. That is about 14.5 kph for our metric based readers.

Most of us are aware that wind power can be harnessed to provide power for individual homes, but did you know that it is a technology that can also be applied on a larger scale for towns, cities and yes, even countries. Large-scale wind farms are becoming a more familiar site in many nations. These “wind farms” consist of multiple wind turbines spread out over relatively flat and open areas. They are connected to an electrical grid that allows them to supply energy to multiple homes and businesses.

Wind farms come in all sizes from a few windmills to several hundred depending on the land that is available. In order to avoid interference that blocks the wind, the average height is around 80 feet tall. Hawaii currently boasts of the largest turbine tower. Their tower is 20 stories tall with blades that are as big as a football field. Of course, these structures are for large-scale utility production, the average home owner would use a setup that is a bit more modest in size.

When most of us think about a windmill, a postcard picture of Holland’s windmills generally comes to mind. The windmills of today have a more modern design and a significantly more efficient. Today’s wind turbines consist of a pole or tower with three blades attached to the top.

A newer design that is beginning to make headway in the market is the spire design that has a more conical look. When the wind turns the blades of the windmill or cone of the Windspire, electricity is produced. In order to work efficiently, these structures are fairly tall. The height would be determined by the wind patterns of your area and may cause a problem in areas close to air traffic.

Overall the windmill design, while highly effective at generating electricity, isn’t the most decorative of features around a home, unless of course, you simply enjoy watching it saving you money. For this reason, windmills are generally located so that they are not constantly drawing visual attention from you or your neighbors.

This means homeowners will need to have sufficient land available to locate these units where they won’t be seen as a nuisance. In addition, although they are fairly quiet given their size, the sound of the rotating blades can produce a low-level noise that some would find unnerving.

Typically, wind power systems are also “grid-tie” systems. A grid-tie system is one that is still tied into the power grid of the local power provider. When the wind is up and power is generated in excess of what the homeowner requires, their hydrometer spins in reverse as the excess energy is fed back to the local power utility. This excess energy is purchased from home owners, giving them credits against the cost of using electrical energy from the utility company when the wind is low and the home owner needs to purchase additional power.

One of the advantages and disadvantages of using wind power is that for they require batteries to store the excess energy produced for times of low production. Large wind farms, which generate significant amounts of electricity, have not had the option of using battery storage.

Strides are being made to correct this situation. Xcel Energy, Inc. in Minnesota, has become one of the first utilities to use a huge battery system to capture the excess energy they produce. Panasonic is stepping up to the plate in the home wind power storage field and plans to begin marketing a lithium-ion storage cell for home use, sometime in 2011.

Need Help With A Green Project?
US Homeowners, Call 888-880-6039 Today
For Referral To An Experienced Contractor In Your Local Area!

May all your tomorrows be warm and bright,

SherryD
http://energyoldandnew.com

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