Preprint Article Version 2 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

A Proposal to Use Determinants of Annoyance in Wind Farm Planning and Management

Version 1 : Received: 12 January 2022 / Approved: 13 January 2022 / Online: 13 January 2022 (10:26:10 CET)
Version 2 : Received: 8 June 2022 / Approved: 8 June 2022 / Online: 8 June 2022 (12:31:13 CEST)

How to cite: van den Berg, F. A Proposal to Use Determinants of Annoyance in Wind Farm Planning and Management. Preprints 2022, 2022010184. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202201.0184.v2 van den Berg, F. A Proposal to Use Determinants of Annoyance in Wind Farm Planning and Management. Preprints 2022, 2022010184. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202201.0184.v2

Abstract

Wind energy in Europe is aimed to grow at a steady, high pace, but opposition from residents to local wind farm plans is one of the obstacles to further growth. A large body of evidence shows that local populations want to be involved and respected for their concerns, but in practice this is a complex process that cannot be solved with simple measures such as financial compensation. The visual presence and the acoustic impact of a wind farm is an important concern for residents. Generally environmental noise management aims to reduce the exposure of the population, usually based on acoustics and restricted to a limited number of sources (such as transportation or industry) and sound descriptors (such as Lden). Individual perceptions are taken into account only at an aggregate, statistical level (such as percentage of exposed, annoyed or sleep-disturbed persons in the population). Individual perceptions and reactions to sound vary in intensity and over different dimensions (such as pleasure/fear or distraction). Sound level is in fact a weak predictor of the perceived health effects of sound. The positive or negative perception of and attitude to the source of the sound is a better predictor of its effects. This article aims to show how the two perspectives (based on acoustics and on perception) can lead to a combined approach in the management of a wind farm aimed to reduce annoyance, not primarily of sound level. An important aspect in this approach is what the sound means to people: is it associated with the experience of having no say in plans, does it lead to anxiety or worry, is it appropriate? The available knowledge will be applied to wind farm management: planning as well as operation.

Keywords

wind turbine; noise annoyance; fear; worry; noise sensitivity; noise management

Subject

Environmental and Earth Sciences, Environmental Science

Comments (2)

Comment 1
Received: 8 June 2022
Commenter: Frits van den Berg
Commenter's Conflict of Interests: Author
Comment: The Introduction has been expanded and a paragraph (3.1 Social acceptance) added, whereas less important information in section 2 is deleted.
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Comment 2
Received: 17 August 2022
Commenter:
The commenter has declared there is no conflict of interests.
Comment: The article has now been published in Wind and available at https://www.mdpi.com/2674-032X/2/3/30/pdf
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