TNEI and Visualwind launch new wind-noise smart monitoring tool

Specialist energy consultancy TNEI has joined forces with expert technology provider Visualwind to develop a new wind-noise monitoring system.

The WindComply Noise Module will be used exclusively across the UK by TNEI to provide smarter noise monitoring services.

The self-powered modules automatically transfer noise data, rain data and battery health for storage and analysis by acoustic specialists. The automation of wind farm noise monitoring is especially beneficial during lengthy compliance monitoring surveys where accurate noise, wind and SCADA data are analysed together during monitoring campaigns.

There is an requirement to undertake noise compliance monitoring at wind energy generation sites to satisfy planning conditions, or in response to complaints from wind farm neighbours.

Compliance monitoring assessments can be lengthy and expensive due to the requirement to collect data during a range of wind conditions, as well as the need for regular site visits to replace batteries and to download data for analysis.

There can also be a requirement for wind farm operators to shut down production during monitoring campaigns for hours, or even days, to obtain robust data in the absence of wind turbine noise.

Because the WindComply Noise Modules are self-powered and automatically send data to a secure cloud server, they reduce the number of site visits required during a monitoring campaign, as well as providing assurance that noise data is being collected during expensive wind turbine shutdowns.

TNEI Senior Technical Consultant Moise Coulon, said, “While there are existing similar smart products on the market, we need something specific for wind farm noise and the flexibility of adding features on request, such as automated synchronisation with SCADA data”.

Peter Longbottom, Operations Director of Sheffield-based Visualwind, commented: “The use of self-powered and internet connected environmental monitoring equipment will become increasingly important as the renewables industry embraces “Internet of Things” technology. We were very pleased to work with TNEI to bring this innovation into wind farm noise monitoring”.