Neighbor News
FALMOUTH WIND II TURBINE NEVER HAD A NOISE TEST
Brian Hopkins: My email was lost was a sound study updated with additional turbine? There never was decibel mapping for the second turbine !
FALMOUTH WIND II NO NOISE TESTS
ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS :
“The Board of Appeals shall ensure, through the use of appropriate engineering data, that there shall be no adverse impacts on the neighborhood, in terms of television interference, ice throw, prop throw, noise, etc.”
[Section 240-166 of the zoning by-laws]
CAPE COD COMMISSION :
Cape Cod Commission adopted a Minimum Performance Standard that imposes a presumptive setback distance for turbines the size of Wind 1 and Wind 2 of 10 x rotor diameter:
Minimum Performance Standard E1.8 “Noise – All Applicants for a WECF [wind energy conversion facility] greater than 660 KW shall perform a noise study and fund a Cape Cod Commission approved consultant’s review of the noise study, and adhere to a setback of 10 times rotor diameter of the proposed turbine from the nearest receptor, or residentially zoned parcel…..”
FALMOUTH WIND STUDY -NONE ;
The only “prior study” (i,.e. study done before the decision to install a second turbine), which dealt in any way with sound pressures was the KEMA Study, which was very insufficient, and which dealt with a single turbine.
VESTAS NOISE WARNING LETTER :
“Vestas wind turbine company the manufacturer of the two Vestas V-82 commercial 1.65 megawatt turbines became concerned over the installation of Falmouth Wind II .”
“Vestas had warned the Town of Falmouth the turbines generated 110 decibels of noise. Double the written specifications. “
August 3, 2010
Mr. Gerald Potamis
WasteWater Superintendent
Town of Falmouth Public Works
59 Town Hall Square
Falmouth, MA 02540
RE: Falmouth WWTF Wind Energy Facility II “Wind II”, Falmouth, MA
Contract No. #3297
Dear Mr. Potamis,
Due to the sound concerns regarding the first wind turbine installed at the wastewater treatment facility, the manufacturer of the turbines, Vestas, is keen for the Town of Falmouth to understand the possible noise and other risks associated with the installation of the second wind turbine.
The Town has previously been provided with the Octave Band Data / Sound performance for the V82 turbine. This shows that the turbine normally operates at 103.2dB but the manufacturer has also stated that it may produce up to 110dB under certain circumstances. These measurements are based on IEC standards for sound measurement which is calculated at a height of 10m above of the base of the turbine.
We understand that a sound study is being performed to determine what, if any, Impacts the second turbine will have to the nearest residences. Please be advised that should noise concerns arise with this turbine, the only option to mitigate normal operating sound from the V82 is to shut down the machine at certain wind speeds and directions. Naturally this would detrimentally affect power production.
The manufacturer also needs confirmation that the Town of Falmouth understands they are fully responsible for the site selection of the turbine and bear all responsibilities to address any mitigation needs of the neighbors.
Finally, the manufacturer has raised the possibility of ice throw concerns. Since Route 28 is relatively close to the turbine, precautions should be taken in weather that may cause icing.
To date on this project we have been unable to move forward with signing the contract with Vestas. The inability to release the turbine for shipment to the project site has caused significant [SIC] delays in our project schedule. In order to move forward the manufacturer requires your understanding and acknowledgement of these risks. We kindly request for this acknowledgement to be sent to us by August 4, 2010, as we have scheduled a coordination meeting with Vestas to discuss the project schedule and steps forward for completion of the project.
Please sign in the space provided below to indicate your understanding and acknowledgement of this letter. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me.
Sincerely,
(Bruce Mabbott’s signature)
_____________________
Bruce Mabbott Gerald Potamis
Project Manager Town of Falmouth
CC: Sumul Shah, Lumus Construction, Inc.
(Town of Falmouth’s Wind-1 and Wind-2 Construction contractor)
Stephen Wiehe, Weston & Sampson
(Town of Falmouth’s contract engineers)
Brian Hopkins, Vestas
(Wind-1, Wind-2’s turbine manufacturer, and also Webb/NOTUS turbine)
