Windfarm noise problems , closure ?

[Scitlipo]

To those who would like to experience the quality of the noise of turbines. This was recorded from about twice the distance recommended by Clare County Council (and others) as that between homes and turbines. Play this video for an hour as you go about your business. When you turn it off, remember that this will not be an option, day or night, for many neighbours of wind farms, at least not for 25 years.

EPAW – Turbines recorded from almost one half mile away (video)

Not comparing like with like.The video is shot in the Eastern US. The wind patterns are nothing like those in Ireland, which are pretty much constant and generate noise from forests and bushes.
Also,the video is a SIMULATION. The trees are not moving because the wind is not blowing..............go figure.

[Decadance]

An Bord Pleanála are slowly taking wind farm noise a little more seriously. A recent decision in Co. Tipperary stated that the:
proposed wind energy development, if permitted, would significantly and adversely impact upon the existing residential amenities of a number of houses in the vicinity by reason of visual intrusion and noise.
Pleanála: 238184: Dualla and Ballinure, Cashel, Co. Tipperary. (10/446)

It is only a start and does not address the growing literature on appropriate setbacks distances from wind turbines nor does it address issues with sleep disturbance and the associated health issues that infrasound and low frequency noise can create. We have to start somewhere.

[EUrJokingMeRight]

They produce a low level noise which is an environmental stressor for both humans and animals alike. Turbines should not be within miles of populated areas, whether it be sparsely or densely populated. Offshore only, they should not be on land IMHO.

[Scitlipo]

As do cars, lorries, aircraft and children

[EUrJokingMeRight]

As do cars, lorries, aircraft and children

Not to mention some posters on p.ie

Seriously though we do not need to introduce more noise into the environment where people live.

[owedtojoy]

I don't think they are ugly.

I agree.

It is amazing how many people who whine about the "ugliness" of wind farms will absolutely cream in their pants at the sight of an oil rig.

If this wind farm violated its planning permit, then absolutely shut it down until it meets the conditions.

Though, I wonder how many coal power plants around the world, pouring poisonous chemicals into the atmosphere (mercury, sulphur dioxide) are closed for the same reason?

[GreenIsGood]

When some clown says "I think wind turbines are beautiful" or " I love the noise of a wind turbine in a gale", does that mean that everyone else has to think so too?

Are we not allowed to have opinions that conflict with those of the wind power industry?

I don't know any other form of power station that get built so routinely in protected habitats, near mountain ridge lines, in unstable peat bogs, or create harmful noise within 500m of someone's house. Or where people who see a problem with this are so demonised. I just don't.

No-one claims that a gas plant looks pretty - they don't. But they don't build them on top of mountains .. or in such numbers.

A typical gas plant may provide say 300MW. A typical wind farm may be say 30MW in capacity. With an average capacity factor of 25%, we need 40 30MW wind farms to provide the same average power as the gasplant.

Yes, 40.

We all know by now this is economic madness, but it is also environmental madness. Pure subsidised stupidity.

[Conor the Bold]

You're mixing up machine detected sound and percieved sound. A machine will detect all sounds and ascribe a strict value to each frequency level. eg, 70dB will be 70dB regardless of frequency. A human will percieve sounds as being louder or quieter depending on frequency sensitivity of the person.
So, straight decibel numbers are less important than you'd think.

aye. dB values need be weighted for human hearing. Convert the values into dB(A) for a truer reflection.

[Scitlipo]

When some clown says ....
I don't know any other form of power station that get built so routinely in protected habitats, near mountain ridge lines, in unstable peat bogs, or create harmful noise within 500m of someone's house. Or where people who see a problem with this are so demonised. I just don't.

.

So you protest that peple won't accept your point of view, but the you label anyone who may happen to see beauty in a wind turbine a clown?
Speaking of which, why would you build a gas plant on mountain or an unstable peat? To go even further, human activity has in some instances helped or speeded up the creation of peatlands, so why not a little drainage and let's get this ground back to some productive use? You cannot live off landscape.
If a member of the public wants me to have Jersey cows instead of Charollais cows, just because the jersey has nice eyelashes, I'd be out of business.

[greykettle]

It would seem like offshore is the way to go with these (at least from a human impact point of view). There are some off the coast of Wexford - they look nice (for what it's worth), and I certainly can't hear them. I've no idea what the efficiency implications of having them offshore are though.

I wouldn't worry too much about them slicing and dicing wildlife (which someone else raised above). I'm pretty sure all methods of generating electricity result in wildlife collateral.