Following the recent publication of the updated Assessment and Rating of Wind Turbine Noise (ARWTN) guidance, Irwin Carr has commenced its first wind farm compliance monitoring programme using the revised assessment framework.
Our acoustics team is currently undertaking noise monitoring at an operational wind farm in England using the latest Larson Davis instrumentation. The survey has been designed to assess compliance with planning noise limits and to evaluate the presence of amplitude modulation (AM) and tonal characteristics in accordance with the methodologies set out within the updated ARWTN guidance.
The revised ARWTN framework provides greater clarity and consistency in the assessment of wind turbine noise, including a structured approach to identifying and quantifying amplitude modulation and tonal components. These methodologies help ensure that compliance assessments are robust, transparent and evidence-based, while providing greater confidence for wind farm operators, planning authorities and local communities.
The deployment of our new Larson Davis monitoring equipment allows for high-resolution noise data collection and detailed post-processing analysis. In addition to measuring overall environmental noise levels, the equipment is being used to capture the data required for detailed AM and tonality assessments in accordance with current industry best practice and the requirements of the updated ARWTN guidance.
Wind farm compliance monitoring remains a specialist area of acoustics, requiring detailed consideration of turbine operational data, local meteorological conditions and the application of recognised acoustic assessment methodologies. Drawing on more than 25 years of cumulative experience in wind turbine noise assessment across the UK and Ireland, the Irwin Carr team continues to provide independent advice and technical support to developers, operators, planning authorities and local communities.
As the wind energy sector continues to evolve, the introduction of updated guidance and assessment methodologies represents an important step towards ensuring that compliance assessments remain technically robust, proportionate and consistent across the industry.
Photo: Wind farm compliance monitoring at an operational wind farm in England using the latest Larson Davis noise monitoring equipment to assess compliance with planning noise limits, including the assessment of amplitude modulation and tonal characteristics in accordance with the updated ARWTN guidance.
