Wilco Vercoelen
22nd November 2007, 22:22
This could be good news for the industry.
Reducing the noise level of wind turbines
The National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR) in the Netherlands has conducted research on lowering the noise level of wind turbines in the context of the European project Sirocco (Silent Rotors by Acoustic Optimization).
According to Stefan Oerlemans, a researcher at NLR, it is 25% at the end of the blades and in particular the rear who are responsible for the nuisance noise of the turbines. This can be reduced in two ways: either by changing the shape of the blades at this level, or more simply, by placing a brush at the rear of the tip of the blades. The hair brushes similar that of an owl, facilitate contact between the blade and the air thereby reducing the noise level from 3 to 6 decibels (dB). These brushes adapt more easily to the existing turbines.
Since 2002, the NLR cooperates with the Center for Research on Energy of the Netherlands (ECN), the University of Stuttgart and wind turbine manufacturers General Electric and Gamesa.
Reducing the noise level of wind turbines
The National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR) in the Netherlands has conducted research on lowering the noise level of wind turbines in the context of the European project Sirocco (Silent Rotors by Acoustic Optimization).
According to Stefan Oerlemans, a researcher at NLR, it is 25% at the end of the blades and in particular the rear who are responsible for the nuisance noise of the turbines. This can be reduced in two ways: either by changing the shape of the blades at this level, or more simply, by placing a brush at the rear of the tip of the blades. The hair brushes similar that of an owl, facilitate contact between the blade and the air thereby reducing the noise level from 3 to 6 decibels (dB). These brushes adapt more easily to the existing turbines.
Since 2002, the NLR cooperates with the Center for Research on Energy of the Netherlands (ECN), the University of Stuttgart and wind turbine manufacturers General Electric and Gamesa.