Electromagnetic fields and other physical factors around wind power generators (pilot study)

According to the 20/20/20 strategy by European Union for green energy by 2020 priority should be given to the Renewable Energy Sources. The energy generated from the wind has proven to be of interest for several reasons-wind is available, it is a cheap, and virtually inexhaustible source of energy. In this relation in the last years, many wind power stations were built all around the country. They are being located in proximity of populated areas. Their work besides the generation of electricity is connected to emission of physical factors in the environment that could be essential for human health. In order to avoid overexposure to electromagnetic fields, noise, and vibration to the general public minimal safety distance is being determined theoretically for 'worst case" conditions basing on the technical characteristics of the generators. After the mounting of installations, measurements have to be performed to determine whether the national and European safety limits for the factors of environment are being kept. The paper presents results of measurement of electromagnetic fields, additionally noise and vibration around one of the biggest wind power parks in Bulgaria. The measurements were made in the close proximity of the generators both for the personnel working conditions and for the population in the closest living areas. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.