Background sound levels and wind turbine noise

This paper reviewed the regulators' approach to the challenge of establishing sound level limits in wind turbine arrays that allow for variations in background sound level with wind speed. Wind speed influences the amount of noise produced by wind turbines and also the noise associated with wind passing over terrain and through foliage. New guidelines by Ontario's Ministry of the Environment were discussed along with wind noise as a function of speed in remote locations having a variety of terrain and foliage types. It was concluded that wind induced noise can effectively mask the steady noise of wind turbine generators, especially during high wind conditions. The extent of wind induced noise depends on the local terrain, foliage and wind speed through vegetation. Masking wind turbine noise by wind induced noise in vegetation can be reduced during stable atmospheric conditions which are common at night. The extent of masking by wind induced noise depends on the level and characteristics of wind turbine noise and wind induced noise. 9 refs., 2 tabs., 2 figs