Wind turbine audible model

The effects of wind turbine noise have lately become more and more important factor when establishing new wind turbines and wind farms. The effects of noise have been conventionally evaluated by making noise mappings. Due to the nature of the wind turbine noise, however, it is useful to be able to listen to the predicted noise, as well as evaluate it with psychoacoustic factors. To evaluate the wind turbine noise more in detail an audible model was developed. The model operates in real time and it makes it possible to vary a large amount of parameters related to the wind turbine noise. Those parameters include rotor RPM, distance from the source and the level of amplitude modulation. The model produces the rotor-generated broadband noise with amplitude modulation, as well as the gearbox noise. Additionally, the effect of distance is simulated with the overall and high-frequency attenuation in the atmosphere. Audible model is built around the Audible Model Platform (AMP). That platform uses advanced frame-based and multirate processing to achieve real-time operation. In addition to standalone operation, the AMP has been combined with Virtual Reality (VR) tools to create a complete Virtual Environment (VE) experience.