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Monitoring and Modelling the Vibrational Effects of Small (<50 kW) Wind Turbines on the Eskdalemuir IMS Station

Monitoring and Modelling the Vibrational Effects of Small (<50 kW) Wind Turbines on the Eskdalemuir IMS Station Thumbnail


Abstract

It is known (Styles et al., 2005) that windfarms generate low frequency vibrations which propagate through the ground and have the potential to adversely affect sensitive installations, most notably seismometer arrays set up to monitor for nuclear tests. Significant work on the effects of large wind turbines has been carried out by Keele University as well as by Schofield (2002) and Fiori et al (2009). For the Eskdalemuir International Monitoring System station in Scotland, a vibration threshold was set, for wind farms within 50 km of Eskdalemuir, at frequencies around the 4 to 5 Hz region. However, with increased development, the threshold is being approached and small wind turbines (less than 50kW), even of the order of 15kW have also been restricted despite the differences in scale and modes of vibration. In order to protect Eskdalemuir a threshold limit was set for any turbine as a holding measure and a programme to try to establish whether they were really problematic has been carried out. Models for two wind turbine types from the manufacturers Proven and Gaia-Wind have been calculated and measurement programmes carried out. It has been possible to demonstrate that in most cases these small turbines do not generate significant energy in the band of concern and that the levels are low enough to be negligible. Small turbines once evaluated and monitored by Keele University and given approval by the UK Ministry of Defence, will receive clearance for deployment around the Eskdalemuir site at distances greater than 10km.

Publication Date Apr 1, 2011
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Series Title Fourth International Meeting on Wind Turbine Noise
ISBN 978-88-88942-33-9
Publisher URL http://www.i-ince.org/

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