Predictions of low-frequency sound from the MOD-1 wind turbine

Technical Report · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:6872727

Martinez, R; Windall, S E; Harris, W L

The purpose of this project was to determine if aerodynamic noise mechanisms are associated with the acoustic noise situation that results from the operation of the MOD-1 wind turbine near Boone, NC. Acoustic measurements indicate that sound from the turbine produced structural vibrations in homes near the turbine site. The possible sources of aeroacoustic noise studied were steady blade loads, unsteady blade loads due to wind shear, and unsteady loads on the blades as they pass through the tower wake. Mathematical models that were used to study these noise sources are described. The results showed that the most significant source of impulsive, low-frequency sound was the unsteady loads that occurred when the blade passed through the tower wake. This problem might be resolved by operating the turbine at a lower rotor speed. This issue might also be resolved by changing the structural configuration of the tower to create an azimuthally smoother wake which would dramatically reduce the noise.

• Research Organization: Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge (USA). Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-77CH00178
• OSTI ID: 6872727
• Report Number(s): SERI/TR-635-1247; ON: DE83004410
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

17 WIND ENERGY
170500* -- Wind Energy-- Environmental Aspects
ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENTS
DATA
FEDERAL REGION IV
HARMONICS
INFORMATION
MACHINERY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
NOISE POLLUTION
NORTH AMERICA
NORTH CAROLINA
NUMERICAL DATA
ORIENTATION
OSCILLATIONS
POLLUTION
SHEAR
SPECTRA
THEORETICAL DATA
TOWERS
TURBINE BLADES
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
TURBULENCE
USA
WIND TURBINES