Aerodynamic noise prediction on wind turbines

Risoe has implemented the noise prediction model developed by Brooks, Pope and Marcolini at NASA and the model is also a part of the HAWTOPT rotor design program and in this way it is possible e.g. to design a rotor with constraints on noise

A number of aerodynamic noise sources contribute to the total broadband aerodynamic noise from a wind turbine rotoe but the two most important sources are 1) the turbulent boundary layer trailing edge noise and 2) noise from turbulent inflow. Risoe has implemented the noise prediction model¹ developed by Brooks, Pope and Marcolini at NASA and the model is also a part of the HAWTOPT rotor design program and in this way it is possible e.g. to design a rotor with constraints on noise.

Besides broadband noise, low frequency noise can be an issue on some turbine designs, in particular turbines with a downwind rotor. Risoe has implemented a model package by which the low frequency noise can be computed. The aero acoustic part of this package has been developed by Larry A. Viterna at NASA and the frequency range covered is typical from 20-100 Hz.