Part 4: Permission Process and environmental impact Flashcards
Give two types of noise generated by wind turbines, and give two sources for each one of these types of noise.
Mechanical noise: Gear box, Generator operation
Aeroacoustic noise: Whooshing noise due to tip speed of the turbine blades, air compression the blade passes the tower.
Explain what masking effect is.
When the sound from the turbine is suppressed by the noise from the background.
Explain in what way the selection of generator/gearbox technology has an impact on possible noise reduction. Explain this possibility for each of the four wind power generator concepts.
Noise is higher the higher the blade speed, with variable speed turbines the units can rotate slower at lower wind speeds which reduces the noise. Since the speed is more and more variable as we move from type 1 to type 4 the noise levels are reduced in that order as well.
Give three possible impacts from wind turbines on bats and why they are affected.
Collision risk
Changes in the migration routes
There are highly effected by pressure differences in the air which may lead to death
What are the three main problems with icing on wind turbines?
- Production losses
- Reduced lifetime
- Safety risk
Which conditions are required for atmospheric icing to occur?
- Temperature below freezing point
- Damp air
- A surface on which ice can stick
Give an example of two technical solutions that can be used to mitigate icing effects on turbines?
- A hydrophobic coating on the blades, not very effective
- Electric heating of the blades (efficient solution)
Give three impacts on birds. For which category of birds is the impact of wind power the strongest?
- Collision
- Change of migration routes
- Change of habitat
Predators are most effected
Give four noise-induced problems for humans (they need not be related to noise generated by wind turbines).
- Annoyance
- High blood pressure
- Bad sleep
- Headache
