Acoustic Tests of Small Wind Turbines: Preprint

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

Abstract

Eight small wind turbines ranging from 400 watts to 100 kW in rated power were tested for acoustic emissions at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Rigorous test procedures based on international standards were followed for measurements and data analyses. Results are presented in the form of sound pressure level versus wind speed, where the sound was recordeddownwind of the turbine at a distance equal to the hub height plus half the rotor diameter. When there was sufficient separation between wind turbine noise and background noise, the apparent sound power level was calculated. In several cases, this was not possible. The implications of this problem are discussed briefly. Some of the configurations tested were specifically developed to reduce thenoise level of their predecessors. Test data for these machines demonstrate marked progress toward quieter turbines.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages17
StatePublished - 2003
Event2004 Wind Energy Symposium - Reno, Nevada
Duration: 5 Jan 20048 Jan 2004

Conference

Conference2004 Wind Energy Symposium
CityReno, Nevada
Period5/01/048/01/04

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/CP-500-34662

Keywords

  • small wind turbine acoustic tests
  • wind turbine noise

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