MassCEC Admited Noise Testing Mistakes Falmouth Wind Turbine # 1

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center April 2, 2013 Wind Turbine Memo

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO FALMOUTH REC AGREEMENT

Staff Memorandum for April 2, 2013

Meeting ofMassCEC Board of Directors “The original MTC-commissioned feasibility study for Falmouth over-estimated the likely acoustic impact, that study did not include a detailed acoustic analysis based upon sampling of ambient acoustic conditions”

The Town received a funding commitment of $4.865 million in ARRA funds from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF), with the loan eligible to be forgiven upon successful completion of the project. The Town procured and installed the Wind 2 turbine in 2010-2011. The turbine went into operation in February 2012.

WWTF neighbors lodged strenuous complaints about noise and noise-induced health concerns soon after Wind-1 went into operation. Additional complaints followed quickly when Wind 2 went into operation, includingcomplaints about shadow flicker.

MassDEP issued a report on the operation of Wind 1 only at night in May 2012 and identified several exceedances of the 10 decibel limit.

MassCEC also engaged wind technology and acoustics experts and a financial analyst to support this process. MassCEC’s total funding contribution for this process was $390,000.

The WTOP group conducted its work between April and December 2012, and issued its report to the Board of Selectmen in January 2013.

The purpose of the Falmouth Wind Turbine Option Analysis Process (WTOP) is to engage in an open, transparent, and collaborative exploration of the range of options for the long-term future of the Town’s two Wind Turbines – Wind I and Wind II.

The Town of Falmouth hid the August 3, 2010 Vestas Noise Warning From The Public For Over 5 Years . The WTOP -CBI , Consensus Building Institute was never given the warning letter from the manufacturer of the turbines Vestas .

“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”

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)

http://www.windaction.org/posts/41357-vestas-raises-concerns-about-turbine-noise-letter#.Vsu6P_krK00