Noisy Wind Turbines

[StuartDH]

Do you know of any really any noisy wind turbines? Just off junction 37 of the M6, on the way to Kendal, there are half a dozen big (about 100ft high) wind turbines. I past them a couple of weeks ago and got to have a look when half a dozen people did the same thing, then they all said the same thing "I thought wind turbines were supposed to be noisy!"

I've stood under wind turbines in several different places around the UK and haven't found any that are nosiy, so I was wondering where the noisy ones are. One of the big objections to wind turbines is that they're noisy, but I take it that this must be some of the original ones? Anyone know where I can find one?

Stu

[svenrufus]

I was standing underneath one at a centre on the outskirts of Brighton a year or so back, the Earthship project at Stanmer, where they have one of modest proportions, which is quite a dated model now. It is not one of thise hulking great beasts that major energy projects use, not is it one of the mini ones that B+Q sells, so somewhere in between.
Anyway, my point is, on a day with a pretty stiff breeze, it was making a right old racket! As I recall, the brand of this particular turbine was - ironically enough - WispaJet (or something like that)
I have been near others since then and noticed no noise in similar conditions of weather, so i guess that technology has moved things on. Thinking about it, that makes perfect sense. I don't suppose that engineers are too concerned with the noise in and of itself, but if the turbine is noisy, it is wasting energy, and they will seek to maximise the latter, thereby reducing the former.
Thanks for the myth busting.
Sven

[excoriate]

I've got a couple of videos of me standing under turbines, unfortunately the wind rushing into the microphone on my camera destroyed what was otherwise an almost silent experience.

[Mr Mag00]

its just a myth pedalled by the 'anti' brigade.

[Varan Komodosky]

The ones at Coal Clough wind farm near me are hu-u-u-u-u-u-u-ge! They make an incredible noise, but only when the blades go slashing over your head.

I'm all in favour. Beats a coal fired jobbie hands down imho.

[Paul mabbott]

This is a good point - when there's a big wind whistling over the hills, who's going to hear the machinery?
I've been near a few and, seriously, have not found them disturbing - and this comes from someone who can have their sleep disturbed by a car at 3 km distance!

Originally Posted by excoriate

I've got a couple of videos of me standing under turbines, unfortunately the wind rushing into the microphone on my camera destroyed what was otherwise an almost silent experience.

[Venger]

It's all the impacted birds that make the noise - bits of plummage, beaks and feet sticking out of the blades , it makes a whistling sound

Ok, Ok bad taste joke! (I'm going to get lynched!)

[Varan Komodosky]

Never seen that, or met/heard of anyone who has, not even a mate of a cousin's mate (if you know what I mean). Birds ain't stupid.

[Venger]

Originally Posted by Varan Komodosky

Never seen that, or met/heard of anyone who has, not even a mate of a cousin's mate (if you know what I mean). Birds ain't stupid.

It was a poor joke Varan - guess I should have put more smilies on it.
Bird deaths are attributed to wind turbines, apparently - I'm not saying that bits of birds are actually sticking out of large metal vanes!

[The Woodman]

The turbines at J37 M6 are at Lambrigg and have only been in use for a couple of years. everal similar schemes can be seen in South Cumbria, Haverigg, Askham etc. Six schemes can be seen from a viewpoint above Grange over Sands. The design of the turbine appears to be the same. The noise from these come from the "Whoosh" of the nearest blade to you as it is turning. I cannot hear this noise 200 mteres away.

I was near Gibraltar last year where the hillsides are covered in the things. Hundreds and hundreds. The older generators are placed on top of a lattice steel tower, similar to our large electric pylons were very noisy. The gearboxes were grinding away and the smell of hot gear oil filled the air, this was at a recognised bird migration route. Conversely, the newer ones were very quiet. New ones were being erected while I was there.

For the last three times I've been to Barrow in Furness and looked at the thirty turbines offshore, west of Walney, despite good force 4-5 winds, they have not beenn turning. Why not?

Big turbine schemes do kill birds and migrating bats, its proven and there are documented research reports. Two years ago, I was travelling in Texas and saw miles and miles of ridge lined with turbines. It' s hard not to imagine birds colliding with these turbines whilst crossing the ridge at night, a bit like Russian roulette.

I'm not convinced with green energy. On the southern shoulder of Morecambe Bay we can see the two huge monoliths of Heysham nuclear power station against the skyline whilst to the north we can see the several wind turbine schemes. At least the warm water discharged by Heysham provides good conditions for young bass to grow in.