A recent noise measurement study at Wind Farm N33 has reached a preliminary conclusion that the humming sounds causing nuisance to local residents appear to occur mainly when curtailment is taking place.
From May 8 to 23, 2023, a noise measurement campaign was performed. This was done by taking noise measurements at the same time at one residence on the northern edge of Meeden and in the nacelle of the wind turbine (type Siemens Gamesa DD-130 R19) closest to this residence. In addition, the residents of four residences in the immediate vicinity of the measurement site were asked to record their perception of wind turbine noise every half hour during the measurement period.
Outcomes
The analysis of the measurements in relation to feedback from local residents and the power output of the wind turbine shows that different tones (noise) can be heard and/or measured. The measurements show that no nuisance is experienced at nominal wind speed and power (what a wind turbine can produce under optimal conditions according to the manufacturer). Tones occur in the nacelle of the wind turbine itself under all weather conditions, but many of these tones are not measured and heard at the residence on the northern edge of Meeden.
Curtailment
The nuisance experienced seems to occur mainly during increasing winds at low wind speeds and winds from the northeast. The majority of nuisance cases also involved curtailment – when the capacity of the wind farm is reduced at certain times, for example to maintain balance on the energy grid (when supply exceeds demand). So the wind turbines will be operating, but will deliver less or no power.
Adjustments
In July, turbine supplier Siemens Gamesa will implement software modifications in the wind turbines that will ensure that, if curtailment occurs, the speed of the wind turbines will also be further reduced.
The results of the study, the software modifications and the possible consequences that may be associated with them will be discussed in a joint consultation. The agreements from these consultations will be announced afterwards.
Background
The initiative for a supplementary study arose from the conversation Stichting Platform Tegenwind N33 had with Jesse Klaver, leader of the GroenLinks political party, and the operators in The Hague in July 2022. The supplementary study was carried out by the parties involved in the wind farm: the municipalities of Midden-Groningen, Veendam and Oldambt, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, manufacturer Siemens-Gamesa, research firm Arcadis, noise specialist Jan van Muijlwijk and the operators of the wind farm, RWE and Eurus Energy.
Wind Farm N33 consists of 35 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 4.3 MW. The wind farm is formed by two sub-farms: Windpark Eekerpolder (RWE) and Windpark Vermeer (Eurus Energy). Since the beginning of operation, noise nuisance has been reported. Although the wind farm complies with Dutch noise standards and previous improvements have already led to less noise, the parties involved wanted to investigate whether the perceived nuisance could be further reduced. Source: Windpark N33
