Wind Energy and renewable energy blog

Ecotricity Continues Fight for 2 Wind Turbines in Norfolk

UK based energy company Ecotricity has vowed to continue the fight for two wind turbines near the village of Shipdham in Norfolk.

Over the last 8 years there have been three public inquiries into the proposal, with the last Inspector dismissing the plans because of noise issues.

A new application for temporary permission to install a 70m wind measuring mast at Wood Farm near Shipdham was recently submitted to Breckland Council. The Council approved the application, however councillors knew that if they refused the application for the mast because it might lead to another wind farm application – and then lost a planning appeal – they could be liable for a costs claim made by Ecotricity.

Is the Noise All in Your Head? – Wind Turbine Noise, Physcology and World Perspective

Whilst not in anyway qualified in acoustics, I surprised myself by becoming rather fascinated by the subject when I realized that although you can measure sound very objectively, the effect of this sound on humans varies extensively and is very much linked to psychology. People who are very opposed to wind energy projects and perceive them to be something bad or harmful react very differently to people supportive of wind energy if perceiving any source of noise from the wind turbines. An example of the plethora of reasons why this might result in some people have different experiences than others is “the cognitive itch” used to describe a re-occurring memory of something- like a catchy tune continually replaying in someone’s head.