Windmill Generators: Debunking the Noise Myth

[Chocolate07]

The first big myth about windmills and wind turbines is that they are very noisy.

http://windpowerspecialist.com/articles_3.html

 

[xxChrisxx]

Not a very scientific look at wind turbine noise, looking at a random sales site.

Small turbines don't infact produce much noise about 40ish dB, they don't produce much power either.3MW turbines do produce a hell of a lot of noise. Some are on the order of 100dB.

http://www.barrhill.org.uk/windfarm/noise/11-windnoise.pdf
http://www.barrhill.org.uk/windfarm/noise/8-klug_noisefromwt_sevilla2002.pdf

 

[oswaler]

I can confidently say that the idea that windmill generators are noisy is a myth. Numerous studies have been conducted on the noise levels produced by wind turbines, and the results consistently show that they are not as loud as commonly believed. In fact, the noise levels from wind turbines are comparable to background noise levels in rural areas and are much lower than other common sources of noise such as traffic or construction.

The noise generated by wind turbines is primarily caused by the movement of the blades through the air, and this noise decreases with distance from the turbine. Most wind farms are located in rural areas, where the nearest residences are typically several hundred meters away, resulting in very low noise levels for nearby residents.

Furthermore, advancements in wind turbine technology have led to quieter designs. For example, newer turbines have larger blades that rotate at slower speeds, resulting in reduced noise levels. Additionally, manufacturers are implementing noise-reducing features such as serrated edges on the blades and sound barriers around the turbines.

In conclusion, the idea that windmill generators are noisy is not supported by scientific evidence. Wind turbines have been proven to have minimal impact on noise levels in surrounding areas, and advancements in technology continue to make them even quieter. It is important to base opinions and decisions on factual information rather than myths and misconceptions.