Acoustic noise of wind turbine tests …put to the test!

Wind turbines can be noisy.

Wind turbines are often criticized for the amount of acoustic noise they make, and the IEC helps by providing the benchmarks by which to measure it.<_o3a_p>

But labs applying these benchmarks need to be properly assessed as well. That's where the work of MEASNET (International Network of Wind Energy Measurement Institutes) comes in. This non-profit organization, comprising the most experienced wind energy institutes from around the world, aims to work out rules and requirements which will guarantee that high quality comparable measurements are made by its members.<_o3a_p>

The non-profit, which is a member of IECRE, the IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Renewable Energy Applications, has assessed the work of 16 technical labs involved in wind turbine acoustic noise measurement.<_o3a_p>

After releasing the first public report on power performance proficiency testing last March (see interview in e-tech), it continues its policy of transparency by publicly sharing the acoustic noise proficiency test report free of charge. <_o3a_p>The report has been coordinated by Bo Søndengaard, former member of Sweco Denmark.

"This new report constitutes a comprehensive overview of acoustic noise evaluation that would not have been possible without honest communication between the different laboratories involved", says Alejandro Martinez, MEASNET Vice Chairman and Technical Advisor for Proficiency Tests, as well as IECRE Lead Assessor.

The report can be freely downloaded from the MEASNET website.

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