Project Number:

3234

Town of Wellfleet Wind Turbine

SERVICE:

Noise Analysis for Wind Turbines

DESCRIPTION:

The Town of Wellfleet proposes to install one to three wind turbines in the 1.5 to 1.8 MW range on Town land west of White Crest Beach and abutting the Cape Cod National Seashore. Three turbine models were studied: Vestas V82 and V90 and GE 1.5xle, to be installed at an 8-meter hub height.

Tech Environmental performed a community sound assessment for the Town under contract with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (now the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center). Baseline sound level monitoring was done over a three-day period at five locations, including both shoreline and inland residential neighborhoods, and a 10-meter meteorological tower was operated simultaneous with the sound level measurements. The Cadna-A acoustic model was applied to predict maximum sound levels in accordance with International Standard ISO 9613-2 for both the cut-in and design wind speed operating conditions. Color-coded decibel contour maps were generated. The frequency spectrum of predicted maximum sound levels at the nearest residences was analyzed for low-frequency sound and it was established that very-low frequency sound from the project will be inaudible and the project will not cause induced vibration effects inside residential structures.

Compliance with the Massachusetts Noise Policy and the Town of Wellfleet Zoning By-Law was demonstrated for all project design options, up to 5 MW of installed capacity. Tech Environmental provided additional support to the Wellfleet Energy Committee by writing responses to comments from the public and the National Park Service on the proposed wind energy project, and preparing a public presentation on the project's sound impacts.

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Key Points

  • The Town of Wellfleet proposes to locate install one to three wind turbines in the 1.5 to 1.8 MW range on town land.
  • Tech Environmental performed a community sound assessment for the Town, demonstrating its compliance with applicable regulations and responding to the public's concerns.