RESEARCH OF EQUIVALENT AND MAXIMUM VALUE OF NOISE GENERATED BY WIND POWER PLANTS

According to the Directive 2009/28EC of European Parliament and Council, dated April 23, 2009, Lithuania should strive for the part of renewable energy sources in the balance of electric energy to reach no less than 23% in the year 2020. The most favorable condition for development of wind energy in Lithuania is on a 50 km width zone by the seaside. Parks of wind power plants are expanding fast, but there is a lack of data about noise generated by wind turbines. The noise generated by the wind power plants is known to fluctuate and may spread up to 2 km beyond the wind power park. Research of noise generated by wind power plants was performed in the western part of Lithuania, near Rudaiciai village (Kretinga district) at the park of four wind power plants. Measurements were performed in cold and warm seasons when different wind speed, environment humidity and air temperatures dominated. The sound pressure levels of noise generated by wind power plants were established. The noise spread in the wind parks and beyond was evaluated according to hygiene norm HN 133:2007 "Acoustic noise. Noise value limits in the residential and public buildings and their surroundings".