Effects of land-based wind turbine upsizing on community sound levels and power and energy density

Journal Article · 15 March 2023 · Applied Energy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.120856 · OSTI ID:2229048

Hoen, Ben ^[1]; Darlow, Ryan ^[2]; Haac, Ryan ^[3]; Rand, Joseph ^[1]; Kaliski, Ken ^[3]

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1. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
2. Vermont Environmental Research Associates, Inc., Waterbury, VT (United States)
3. RSG, White River Junction, VT (United States)

Multiple technological, social, and market factors of wind power are evolving rapidly. Most notably, significant wind turbine scaling is occurring and is forecasted to continue. While the larger turbines expected to be deployed in the future are more powerful and efficient, they are also expected to operate at higher sound levels and require larger setbacks than those installed in the last decade. These sometimes-competing deployment trends and impacts cannot be understood via simple extrapolations of past trends. This study analyzes the effect of these future larger turbines on wind turbine micro-siting, project-level power and energy density, and community noise impacts. Due to their taller heights, larger rotors, and higher sound power levels, future wind turbines will require larger setbacks from homes and greater inter-turbine spacing, resulting in fewer turbines deployed for a given land area. This research finds these changes more than offset the effect of the higher turbine sound emissions, significantly decreasing the average sound levels that wind plant hosting communities experience. Yet, simultaneously, plant layouts using future turbine designs also result in projects with higher installed capacities and annual energy output for a given land area. These increases will likely lead to increased tax benefits and local income in the community. The deployment of fewer turbines on a smaller number of parcels could have implications on siting flexibility and landowner payments.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Wind Energy Technologies Office
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 2229048
• Journal Information: Applied Energy, Journal Name: Applied Energy Vol. 338; ISSN 0306-2619
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English