Wind Energy Planning

Community supports Westmills Wind Farm

Westmills wind farm is officially popular with its local community according to a recent report by the BBC. Westmills is the first 100% community owned wind energy project in the south of England and provides for the needs of around 2500 homes.

The five turbine wind farm is located within half a mile of the village of Westmills in South Oxfordshire, England. The turbines started generating electricity in February of last year after a long planning haul patiently negotiated by landowner Adam Twine. More than 200 local people bought into the wind farm co-operative and now receive a financial return on their investment.

Wind Farm Neighbours

Canadian wind farm neighbour Mulikow tries to describe the noise from his next door wind farm in the video below. As with all attempts to replicate ‘noise experiences’ this video struggles to represent accurately wind turbine noise due to the noise of the natural wind in the microphone and the fact that we – the listeners are located out of context. However Mulikaw gives what seems to be an un-emotive, and descriptive account of what it is like to live next to an operational wind farm. Don’t believe him though – go visit one for yourself.

What is Amplitude Modulation of Noise from Wind Turbines?

Amplitude Modulation of aerodynamic noise is a term used to describe a noise phenomenon experienced at a few unusual wind energy projects in the UK. The term is often used to cause concern amongst residents close to a proposed wind farm in addition to terms such as low frequency noise and infrasound. It is sometimes described as a “thump” as the turbine blade passes the tower.