Acoustic Planning for Wind Energy Projects

Noise immission control plays a central role in the planning and approval of wind turbines. During the night-time period in particular, surrounding residential areas must be protected and the applicable immission guide values reliably complied with.

Kramer Schalltechnik GmbH accompanies wind energy projects from the initial feasibility study through to the conclusion of the approval procedure. As an independent engineering and expert consultancy, we support project developers, operators, manufacturers, investors, authorities and municipalities in Germany and internationally.

Our Services

Noise Immission Forecasts

For new wind turbines, wind farms and modification projects, we calculate and assess the anticipated noise immissions.

Our investigations comprise:

Modelling of planned and existing wind turbines
Determination of the relevant immission points
Review of the sound power and frequency data
Consideration of the various operating modes
Performance of sound propagation calculations
Consideration of uncertainties
Comparison against the applicable immission guide values
Development of suitable noise reduction measures

Our expert reports provide a comprehensible and robust basis for approval and modification procedures.

Existing and Total Loading

Further wind turbines, industrial plants or commercial businesses may already be present in the vicinity of a project.

Where required, we investigate the noise contributions of the existing and planned installations as well as of further relevant sources. On this basis we determine the total loading and compare it against the applicable immission guide values.

Turbine and Operational Optimisation

Turbine type, hub height, location and operating mode can decisively influence the acoustic feasibility of a wind energy project.

We compare:

different turbine types and layout variants
various hub heights
modes of operation for the daytime and night-time periods
power and noise reduction modes
wind-speed-dependent operating concepts

Our aim is to ensure the necessary noise control while keeping restrictions on energy generation as low as possible.

Repowering and Project Modifications

For repowering projects and modifications to existing designs, we compare the approved or existing situation with the future one.

Among other things, we investigate:

the replacement of the turbine type
modified turbine locations and hub heights
additional wind turbines
new or modified operating modes
the resulting total loading

Potential conflicts can thus be identified at an early stage and suitable solutions developed for the approval procedure.

Noise Reduction Concepts

Where the immission guide values may be exceeded, we develop project-specific measures, for example:

noise-reduced operating modes
power limitations during the night-time period
differing modes of operation for individual turbines
wind-speed-dependent control strategies
adjustments to turbine locations or turbine types

In doing so, we take into account both the requirements of noise immission control and the economic operation of the wind farm.

Continuous Noise Measurement and Monitoring

With our continuous measurement system, whose software was developed by Kramer Schalltechnik GmbH, noise levels can be recorded over long periods without gaps.

The monitoring enables:

the continuous recording of noise levels
the evaluation of long-term measurement data
the correlation with weather and operating data
the identification of specific noise events
the investigation of frequency spectra and conspicuous noise characteristics
the preparation of project-specific evaluations and reports

The measurement system can be adapted to the respective task and provides a reliable data basis for specialised acoustic investigations.

International Wind Energy Projects

Assessment procedures and immission limit values can differ from country to country. For international projects we examine the respective legal and technical requirements and adapt our calculations and investigations accordingly.

Our services comprise in particular:

Noise immission forecasts
Assessment of the existing and total loading
Comparison of turbine and operating variants
Development of noise reduction concepts
Concepts for continuous noise measurements
Technical coordination with authorities and project participants

In Germany, Kramer Schalltechnik GmbH is a designated measurement body under § 29b BImSchG. We are also an approved body under the Luxembourg law of 1993 and have experience in international wind energy projects.

Talk to Us

Are you planning a new wind energy project, a repowering scheme or a modification to existing turbines? Do you need a noise immission forecast, or would you like different turbine and operating variants investigated?

We will be pleased to review your project and advise you on the necessary scope of investigation and the appropriate approach.

Wind Turbines