Project Number:

3711

Oklahoma Wind Park

SERVICE:

Acoustic Consulting

DESCRIPTION:

Tech performed acoustic studies for the Kingfisher Wind Energy Project in Piedmont, Oklahoma, a proposed project with over 100 wind turbines. Sound impacts were predicted for approximately 500 residential receptors to determine compliance with a 45 dBA project goal. To determine this, Tech engineers used a 3D model to perform acoustic modeling for the predicted sound levels. The modeling was done using two separate hub heights, the height at which the turbine would stand (80 meters and 100 meters) for comparison. Tech's team used conservative parameters to estimate sound levels when performing the acoustic modeling including simultaneous operation, most favorable conditions for wind propagation, frozen ground assumption, and any excess attenuation from wind shadow effects and daytime air turbulence were ignored. After performing the modeling, for both the 80-m hub and the 100-m hub, Tech was able to conclude that at no residence was the sound level greater than the Project's goal of 45 dBA.

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Key Points

  • A proposed wind farm, with over 100 turbines required a sound impact assessment to determine if the noise levels heard at nearby residences were in compliance with the project's limit of 45 dBA.
  • Tech performed acoustic modeling for two hub heights and determined that sound levels were not greater than the Project goal and therefore would be considered in compliance.