Infrasound from wind farms - what does the science say?
Wind energy is one of the key solutions in the quest for cleaner, more sustainable, and more affordable energy. With its rapid development, questions are increasingly being raised about the impact of infrasound generated by wind farms on our environment. It's a topic that has sparked debate for years. Meanwhile, the latest scientific research and the experience of countries that have long relied on wind energy provide concrete answers.
Wind energy is one of the key solutions in the quest for cleaner, more sustainable, and more affordable energy. With its rapid development, questions are increasingly being raised about the impact of infrasound generated by wind farms on our environment. It's a topic that has sparked debate for years. Meanwhile, the latest scientific research and the experience of countries that have long relied on wind energy provide concrete answers.
In the following article, we examine what we know about the effects of infrasound on people and animals in the vicinity of wind farms.
Infrasound is waves of very low frequency, below 20 Hz, which our ear cannot register. Although we can't hear them directly, they accompany us daily - both in nature and our immediate environment.
According to studies, including those by Dr. Ryszard Ingielewicz and Dr. Adam Zagubień of the Koszalin University of Technology, the operation of wind power plants does not constitute a source of infrasound with levels that could endanger human health. Infrasound is sound waves with frequencies below 20 Hz, meaning they fall below the human hearing threshold. Their natural sources include thunderstorms, the sound of the sea, and even the wind. Studies indicate that the threshold for humans to feel infrasound begins at about 100-110 dB at 10 Hz. These values are much higher than the infrasound generated by wind farms, which remains well below any threshold that could impact human health.
The Finnish government also decided to answer the question of the impact of infrasound on the human body, commissioning a comprehensive scientific study on the subject in 2020. The results were unequivocal - no negative impact of infrasound on the health and well-being of residents of areas adjacent to wind farms has been demonstrated. The study was conducted in the vicinity of two wind farms - Santavuori and Kopsa, where some residents reported various ailments that they thought could be associated with the operation of the turbines. The researchers took an extremely comprehensive approach to the topic - they conducted detailed surveys of residents and year-round measurements of infrasound levels (both outside and inside buildings) and laboratory experiments with volunteers. The measurements clearly showed that the level of infrasound generated by the turbines is comparable to that in an ordinary urban environment.
Scientists also tested whether infrasound can unconsciously affect our bodies. They studied, among other things, the nervous system's reactions, heart function, and skin reactivity. Once again, no concerning signs were observed. It was shown that the infrasound emitted by the turbines was not heard or sensed, even by groups rating themselves as particularly sensitive.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also declared that wind energy is associated with fewer negative health impacts than other forms of traditional power generation.
This question often comes up in discussions about wind farms. While some express concern about infrasound’s impact on livestock, real-world experience tells a different story. Let's take a look at the European leaders in wind energy—Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands. These countries successfully develop wind energy and maintain high agricultural productivity. A particularly interesting case is Denmark, which, while being a world pioneer in the use of wind energy, remains one of the key milk producers in Europe.
In conclusion, scientific research does not support claims that infrasound from wind turbines negatively affects human or animal health. The noise generated by the turbines is controlled and meets the standards set by international organizations. Given this context, it is important to remember that wind energy remains a key component of the energy transition, and concerns about infrasound are not supported by reliable research.
Knowledge about RES
The development of renewable energy sources has become an important element of the energy transition both in Poland and worldwide. This has given rise to the need to manage energy production and distribution more efficiently. The integration of modern digital technologies, such as SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) and IoT (Interenet of Things), into the RES energy infrastructure enables more efficient operations in these areas. However, this advanced technology brings with it new cyber security challenges that can disrupt entire energy networks.
Read the article
CSR
In this special atmosphere of the holidays, we are delighted to share with you the heartfelt initiatives we have taken as PAD RES. Our CEO, Mariusz Adamczewski, and the entire team of employees decided to make this Christmas unforgettable for the Children's Home in Nowa Grobla and the Youth Fire Team in Korzenica. For us, this action is not only an expression of charity, but also a real participation in Corporate Social Responsibility
Read the article
News
We are extremely pleased to announce that our community on LinkedIn has surpassed the magic number of 1,000 observers! We are delighted to have achieved this result exclusively organically. It is a special moment for us, a moment of reflection on where we have come in our mission to lead in energy transformation.
Read the article
PAD RES DEVELOPMENT Ltd.
NIP: 5272967552
Al. Jana Pawła II 19, 10th floor
00-854, Warsaw
kontakt@pad-res.pl