Enhancing the Acceptance of Wind Parks by Automating Noise Monitoring

Arcadis is a global leader in sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. With a mission to improve quality of life, Arcadis operates in over 30 countries, employing more than 36,000 professionals dedicated to addressing today's most pressing challenges, including climate change, urbanisation, and digital transformation.

As part of this mission, Geluidsverwachting provides a specialised app designed to address noise and shadow flicker concerns around wind parks. This tool enhances transparency and community engagement, thereby improving the overall acceptance of wind energy projects.

The Challenge

With the increase in new wind parks, nearby residents often express concerns about noise pollution and shadow flicker from the turbines. This can lead to unrest and decreased support for sustainable energy projects. The specific challenges were:

Addressing community concerns about noise and shadow flicker from wind turbines.
Providing accurate, real-time information about noise levels and shadow flicker, thereby creating a baseline from which to better assess user feedback.
Improving communication and engagement between wind park developers, local authorities, and residents.

The Solution

To tackle these challenges, Arcadis collaborated with Django Web Studio to develop the Geluidsverwachting app, which provides hyperlocal forecasts for wind turbine noise and shadow flicker. The project included several key features:

Real-Time Noise and Shadow Flicker Forecasts:

The app delivers accurate noise level forecasts up to 48 hours in advance. It provides real-time updates on shadow flicker, helping residents understand and anticipate the impact of wind turbines on their daily lives.

User Feedback:

Residents can report their experiences with noise and shadow flicker directly through the app, providing valuable data for analysis. This feedback helps map out the impact of noise and meteorological conditions on the experience of the residents.

Data Visualization and Comparison:

The app shows how wind turbine noise compares to other environmental sounds, helping to put the noise into perspective. It also displays the amount of electricity being generated, linking the benefits of wind energy to local impacts.

Enhanced Communication:

The app facilitates better interaction between wind park operators, local authorities, and residents, ensuring that community concerns are heard and addressed. Continuous monitoring and feedback loops help quickly identify and mitigate issues.

Increased Community Engagement:

Residents have a better understanding of wind turbine impacts and feel more involved in the decision-making process.
The app has helped build trust among residents, wind park operators, and local authorities.

Enhanced Operational Efficiency:

Real-time data and continuous feedback allow for quicker identification and resolution of noise issues.
The app has reduced the time and resources needed for manual monitoring and complaint handling.

Positive Impact on Wind Energy Acceptance:

Improved transparency and communication have increased community support for wind energy projects.
In areas where the app has been used, residents report a better overall experience and reduced noise complaints.

The Geluidsverwachting app has transformed the way noise and shadow flicker concerns are managed around wind parks. By providing real-time, accurate information and facilitating direct feedback, the app has increased transparency and improved community engagement. This innovative solution has not only enhanced the acceptance of wind energy projects but also ensured that residents' concerns are taken seriously, contributing to a more sustainable and harmonious energy transition.

Inspired by the success of the Geluidsverwachting app?