Current regulations for the protection against noise from wind turbines in Germany

Abstract

The wind energy sector is growing steadily in Germany. With 29213 wind turbines and an installed capacity of around 52931 MW [1], Germany ranks first in Europe. For a successful realization of the transformation of the energy system it is necessary to increase the acceptance of wind turbines in the neighborhood. The basis for the approval of wind turbines in Germany is the German Federal Immission Control Act. According to this act installations subject to licensing shall be established and operated in such a way that this does not involve harmful effects on the environment. This requirement is specified in the "Technical Instructions on Noise Abatement, TI Noise" which contain noise immission values. The total noise exposure at a decisive immission point may not exceed these values. An important part of the noise assessment of wind turbines is a prediction of the noise immission. For this purpose, the TI Noise as well as the recommendations for the protection against noise exposure from wind turbines of the federal states are used in Germany. These recommendations have been fundamentally revised under consideration of the current state of knowledge in 2017. The procedure for the protection against noise from wind turbines in Germany will be explained in detail. Copyright: Andrea Bauerdorff