Noise
Modern wind turbines can generate noise across the frequency range of human hearing. As with most sounds, some of this energy occurs below the level of human hearing.
Human hearing ability ranges from 20Hz to 20,000Hz, with 1dB being the smallest change in noise that humans can detect.
Low frequency noise refers to noise in the range of 10 to 200 Hertz (Hz) and infrasound occurs in the range of 20 Hz down to 0.001 Hz – below what the human ear can pick up.
Click here to read more on Wind Turbines and low frequency noise.
Birds and BatsStudies have shown that modern wind farms have no significant adverse effect on bird populations.
Wind energy is emission-free and can help offset the effects of climate change. AGL's Wind Farm developments are carried out with respect for habitats, including threats to birds, bats and other wildlife.
There are a few ways that wind turbines might interfere with birds – one is the
potential impact to their natural habitat, another is through possible collisions with the turbines themselves.
TV ReceptionWhile no official studies have been conducted, two basic concerns in which the design of a wind turbine could potentially cause telecommunications interference are outlined below.
The first is that the revolving blades could interfere with TV reception, "chopping up" the signal, which would result in a flickering image, or "ghosting," on the TV screen.
The second concern is that the wind turbine's generator or alternator will emit electromagnetic interference or radio frequency interference, both of which could potentially interfere with telecommunications signals.
AGL takes into account the impact of a development on wireless services when considering Wind Farm development projects.