Open AccessImpact of low‐level wind maxima below hub height on wind turbine sound propagation
Author(s) -
Conrady Kristina,
Bolin Karl,
Sjöblom Anna,
Rutgersson Anna
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
wind energy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.743
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1099-1824
pISSN - 1095-4244
DOI - 10.1002/we.2517
Subject(s) - wind speed , wind gradient , wind profile power law , meteorology , environmental science , wind power , turbine , maxima , wind direction , maximum sustained wind , atmospheric sciences , wind shear , planetary boundary layer , sound (geography) , boundary layer , log wind profile , prevailing winds , geology , engineering , geography , physics , mechanics , geomorphology , turbulence , mechanical engineering , electrical engineering , performance art , art history , art
An analysis of the effect of low‐level wind maxima (LLWM) below hub height on sound propagating from wind turbines has been performed at a site in northern Sweden. The stably stratified boundary layer, which is typical for cold climates, commonly features LLWM. The simplified concept for the effects of refraction, based on the logarithmic wind profile or other approaches where the wind speed is continuously increasing with height, is often not applicable there. Long‐term meteorological measurements in the vicinity of a wind farm were therefore used to identify LLWM. Sound measurements were conducted simultaneously to the meteorological measurements. LLWM below hub height decrease the sound level close to the surface downwind of the wind farm. This effect increases with increasing strength of the LLWM. The occurrence of LLWM as well as strength and height of the LLWM are dependent on the wind direction.