Wind turbine study finds possible correlation between noise and residents' complaints, researcher says

By Jessica Tapp

Posted about 4 hours agoWed 21 Jan 2015, 1:25pm

Photo: A report found residents complained most about sensations rather than noise or vibration. (Brett Worthington)

Map: Portland 3305

A pilot study into wind farm noise and residents' reactions to it has identified a special noise signature that could give new insights for medical research, the study's lead author says.

Researchers, commissioned by Pacific Hydro, took sound measurements near the company's Cape Bridgewater wind farm, in south-west Victoria, which has been operating for six years.

Six people living in three nearby houses had complained about headaches, ringing ears and chest pressure they said was caused by the 29 turbines.

Acoustic engineer Steven Cooper said the study conducted noise measurements of both audible sounds and infrasound, using special microphones, amplifiers and detection equipment.

"This was conducted at three houses for a period of eight weeks, one house had an extensive array of microphones and vibration detectors both inside and outside the house," Mr Cooper said.

He said the study, which had unprecedented access to the wind turbines, discovered noise patterns that had not been previously accounted for, which could help future medical research into residents' issues.

The researchers tested how the wind turbines operated under different wind directions and speed, and when the power was off, Mr Cooper said.

Residents recorded sensations:

  • When turbines were starting
  • When turbines increased/decreased power output by 20 pc
  • When turbines were operating at maximum power and wind increased

At the same time, residents were asked to keep an hourly diary noting noise, vibrations and the sensations they felt, such as pressure in the head, eyes, throat or chest, headaches or pulsing of the ears.

Mr Cooper said while the study was too small to provide scientific proof, a correlation was recorded between the noise made by the turbine and the sensations felt by residents.

"When we started putting the diary information together with the wind farm operation and the noise information, we found there were certain conditions of the operation of the wind farm that correlated or agreed with the observations where they recorded high sensation levels," he said.

He said it was the first time reactions like this had been included in a wind farm study.

"There have never been sensations included in questionnaires," Mr Cooper said.

"What we found was that previously they were complaining about the noise, but it wasn't really the noise, it was sensations."

Study finds special noise signature

Mr Cooper said the study was testing for how residents reacted to the noise, rather than health impacts related to wind turbines.

He said the study discovered a previously unaccounted for noise "signature".

Photo: Residents near Hydro Pacific wind turbines complained of headaches. (ABC News: Margaret Burin)

We don't have a correlation in terms of medical ... but we have uncovered a tool which can now lead the next step to be done, because you couldn't do the medical studies without the acoustic information saying what was going on.

Steven Cooper, researcher

"What is really exciting is that we found a pattern in a special signature that exists when the turbines are operating and does not exist when the turbines are off," Mr Cooper said.

"You can use that signature to commence the medical studies."

The study said better equipment was needed to look at the different types of sound produced by the turbines, and that measurements should be used to record sound levels from several points on and near the turbines.

"There has not been the link to show in a scientific term what the wind farm is doing," Mr Cooper said.

"The general DBA level that's used for community noise doesn't work with wind farms.

"So if you didn't have the link to provide the relationship between the wind farm and the community, you actually can't do the medical studies."

But he said the study provides the foundation for future medical studies which could look at the health impact of wind farm noise.

"So Pacific Hydro are correct we don't have a correlation in terms of medical and I agree with that 100 per cent," he said.

"But we have uncovered a tool which can now lead the next step to be done, because you couldn't do the medical studies without the acoustic information saying what was going on."

No changes to Pacific Hydro wind farms

Pacific Hydro external affairs executive manager Andrew Richards said the company commissioned the study to show residents that the wind farm was not exceeding noise levels.

He said it was not the company's role to contribute further reports about the noise made by wind turbines, including medical studies.

"At the end of the day, we've gone above and beyond what is required of us," Mr Richards said.

"If others want to pick up this work and take it further, particularly a federal agency, I notice today the National Health and Medical Research Council is talking about doing such a study, and we'd welcome that and we would participate in that should we be required."

Because of the small sample size, there was a lot of grey area in the study's data, Mr Richards said.

"This is a complex issue. It requires more work.

"The sorts of studies that Steven [Cooper] is talking about cost millions and millions of dollars and need to be much broader than just looking at six residents near one wind farm and needs to be quite an extensive piece of work. "

He said Pacific Hydro would not be conducting other similar studies at its other wind farms.

Pacific Hydro will hold a public meeting in Portland on February 16 to discuss the study's results with residents.