IT department in the media: The issue of wind turbine noise raised in the EU – Swedish research shows that infrasound travels further than previously thought

The issue of wind turbine noise is now being addressed at EU level. Photo: Pixabay

The European Parliament has received a petition highlighting health risks associated with noise from wind turbines. At the centre is Swedish research and a new simulation tool showing that infrasound from large turbines travels further than previously thought.

Ken Mattsson and Gustav Eriksson have developed SoundSim360 – a simulation tool that calculates both infrasound and high frequencies across large areas. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt.

The issue of noise impact from wind turbines has gained renewed attention within the EU, where a petition on noise and infrasound is now being considered by the European Parliament. The initiative is backed by several European organisations, and at the heart of the debate is Swedish research that has led to new insights into how sound propagates.

Research on measurement methodology has improved significantly in recent years – not least thanks to the work of Professor Ken Mattsson at Uppsala University. Since the 1990s, he has developed computational methods to simulate how sound, including infrasound, spreads across landscapes. Together with colleagues, he has created the advanced simulation tool SoundSim360, which demonstrates that infrasound levels from modern wind turbines are considerably higher and travel farther than previously assumed.

Mattsson’s research (see source below) indicates that earlier measurements and modelling may have underestimated both the range of the sound and its potential health risks (see source below). This has contributed to the issue now being raised politically within the EU.

The EU’s Environment Committee has begun gathering knowledge on wind turbine noise and its consequences. The Commission has also committed to providing a written statement within three months, which could pave the way for future changes to the EU’s noise and industrial directives.

Fact: Noise and infrasound from wind turbines

What is sound?

Sound is created by pressure changes in the air that propagate as waves. The strength of sound is measured in decibels (dB), while its frequency – the number of oscillations per second – is measured in hertz (Hz). Human hearing typically perceives sounds between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz. Low frequencies produce deep tones, while high frequencies produce bright tones.

Infrasound – sound we cannot hear

Infrasound refers to sound waves with frequencies below 20 Hz, making them inaudible to humans. Despite this, they can travel over very long distances with little attenuation. Sources of infrasound include wind turbines, hydropower plants, explosions, jet engines, high-speed trains, fans, and ventilation systems.

How are sound levels measured?

The decibel scale is logarithmic, meaning that every increase of 10 dB corresponds to a tenfold increase in sound intensity. Noise is defined by the EU as outdoor sound with unwanted or harmful effects on human health or the environment. Sound levels above 50 dB during daytime are often considered disturbing.

New technology from Uppsala University

SoundSim360 is an advanced simulation tool developed by researchers at Uppsala University. It can accurately calculate how sound – including low-frequency sound and infrasound – propagates over large areas. The tool has contributed to new insights showing that infrasound from wind turbines travels farther than previously thought.

Sources and further reading:

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