Anthropogenic noise is a widespread environmental disturbance that can have detrimental effects on communities, wildlife, and ecosystems. Wind turbines (WTs) have been one type of infrastructure that has been particularly problematic in this regard.
WTs have been widely criticized for their alleged negative impacts on wildlife, nearby residents, landscape aesthetics and real-estate value. Mitigating the environmental harm caused by WTs has become an increasing priority for scientists and planners alike.
Environmental Impacts
Noise pollution has been proven to disrupt wildlife communication and navigation, as well as cause the death of thousands of invertebrates. Furthermore, it interferes with breeding cycles and rearing.
Even marine life can be negatively affected by noise-related effects, with whales and dolphins often becoming stranded due to sonar signals. Animals with sensitive hearing, such as nocturnal birds, are especially vulnerable to noise disturbance.
Wind turbines can have a positive impact on the environment through various strategies, such as siting, planning and design. Furthermore, authorities must carefully consider how a new wind power project will affect adjacent land uses and how it can be integrated into the landscape.
Resources exist to educate communities on the potential environmental effects of wind energy and how to minimize them. The Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) funds research on these challenges, while Tethys serves as a database containing peer-reviewed studies on these matters around the globe.
Noise Impacts
Wind turbine noise impacts are a serious environmental concern. While much research has been done on the direct effects of human-caused noise pollution on wildlife, planning regulations and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) often fail to consider WT noise’s adverse effect on animal species.
There are multiple potential mechanisms through which WT could adversely impact wildlife. These include damage to animals’ physical wellbeing, essential survival mechanisms, social and reproductive processes, as well as habitat continuity.
Furthermore, noise impacts vary based on factors like acoustic characteristics, context and the life-history of the species involved. For instance, wildlife living outdoors are more vulnerable to WT noise than those living in dense urban settings [1,3,5,6].
People living near wind farms experience numerous negative health and psychosocial effects due to the noise generated by WT. These include sleep disturbance, stress and other health-related problems. Furthermore, those affected often must bear the financial burden of having to modify their homes (e.g., installing sound insulation) in order to reduce noise exposure.
Mitigation Measures
Wind turbines can provide a clean and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, though their noise may pose issues for some residents and wildlife.
Fortunately, there are several measures that can be taken to minimize the environmental effects of wind energy and its associated noise. These include blade design and insulation technologies, reducing noise levels near the source (e.g., by creating sound buffers between turbines and residential areas), as well as following good practices like properly maintaining blades and using quality parts.
There are a range of planning guidelines and regulations that can be employed to reduce the effect of wind turbine noise on nearby wildlife. These measures include micro-placement, zoning regulations, and impact assessments; however many of these options are voluntary rather than legally mandated by law.
Conclusions
Wind turbines are a renewable energy source that produces electricity without emitting pollutants, and they can be used to replace fossil fuels, thus decreasing air pollution. Furthermore, wind turbines use less water for cooling than many other sources of energy and reduce total emissions of carbon dioxide (the primary greenhouse gas).
Noise levels are usually measured in decibels, but public perception of noise produced by wind farms is key. To ensure that it does not negatively impact people living nearby, it’s essential to assess the sound level before construction begins.
Studies have reported that people living near wind farms are often annoyed by the noise generated by them, which is one of the primary reasons they oppose their construction. Furthermore, some have claimed that noise from turbines may have detrimental effects on their health and quality of life.
