Around locations for proposed wind turbines, the environment is regularly and for a long time in turmoil. However, the sound pressure of wind turbines installed in accordance with the standards is limited, Thijs ten Brinck observes on his platform Wattisduurzaam.nl. Permit conditions in excess of the statutory permit often limit the sound pressure even further. This raises the question of how the noise of wind turbines relates to (the other) ambient noise in general. A comparison based on data from the Atlas of the Living Environment and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).
Major differences
A quick glance at the maps of the Atlas of the Living Environment of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) shows major differences.
On the map entitled 'Ambient noise', the 'geluid in Nederland'. This is used to add up the amount of ambient noise caused by different sources. This is the average annual noise level of road traffic, rail traffic, aircraft, industry and wind turbines.
To express the amount of sound, Lden (Level Day-Evening-Night) was used. This is a measure to calculate how much noise is present on average per day. The categories from 'very good' to 'very bad' are taken from the Nota van Toelichting bij de Aanvullingsregeling geluid. This classification is derived from studies naar de relatie tussen geluid en hinder. All noise sources count equally (no weighting has been done).
More information about how the map was made can be found at Veelgestelde vragen or view the information in the National Georegister. For other questions, please use the helpdesk from Atlas Leefomgeving.
Wind turbine noise (Lden)
The overview map entitled: 'Wind turbines' offers the 'geluid windturbines in Nederland' This map from Atlas of the Living Environment shows the noises made by wind turbines in the Netherlands. The (orange) yellow spots indicate the noise around the wind turbines. Where many turbines are clustered together, larger yellow spots can be seen, for example on the North Sea and the IJsselmeer.
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) made this map with data from RIVM, Rijkswaterstaat, Openstreetmap, the Register Externe Veiligheid and the Basisregistratie Grootschalige Topografie (BGT) from January 2024. The amount of noise has been calculated using the STAMINA model (Standard Model Instrumentation for Noise) and is expressed in Lden (Level Day-Evening -Night). This is the average in decibels (dB) per day (24 hours), with noise in the evening and at night counting more than during the day.
Technical data of this card are hier to find. If you have any questions, please contact Atlas leefomgeving's helpdesk .
Road traffic causes a lot of noise
The sound pressure of motorways and provincial roads is much, much greater, and there are many more roads in the Netherlands. Thijs ten Brinck mentions this point in this article on Wattisduurzaam.nl. It can be seen that roads cause a lot of noise. They glow red on the map. The area around airports also lights up red. Read more about this at omgevingsgeluid.
The maps below (source Atlas Leefomgeving) show the sound pressure of Kattenberg Wind Farm – 4 wind turbines along the A58 – and the sound pressure of larger roads in the same area around Oirschot, respectively.
Sources: Thijs ten Brinck Wattisduurzaam.nl and Atlasleefomgeving.nl
Road traffic noise in the Netherlands (Lden)
The map shows that highways and other busy roads are glowing red. That's where most of the traffic noise is. Verkeersgeluid can cause nuisance and health problems such as stress and sleep disturbance.
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) created this map based on data from 2019, 2020 and 2021. The number of motor vehicles per hour on federal highways comes from 2019 data. These have therefore not been affected by measures due to the coronavirus. The road characteristics of national roads, such as where noise barriers are located, are from 2021. For municipal and provincial roads, all data (intensities and road characteristics) are from 2020. It is therefore possible that these intensities have been influenced by the corona measures. The amount of noise is expressed in Lden (Level Day-Evening-Night). This is the average in decibels (dB) per day (24 hours), with noise in the evening and at night counting more than during the day.
You can download the maps here and open with software for maps. for other questions, please contact the Atlas Leefomgeving helpdesk .
Research and regulations on noise nuisance in wind turbines
The fact that there have been concerns about wind energy worldwide for many decades means that research into the effects of wind turbines has been conducted for decades. Specifically with regard to noise effects, RIVM offers an overview of literature on the health effects of wind turbine noise. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) collected the scientific literature on the effect of wind turbines on the experience of nuisance, sleep disturbance, cardiovascular and metabolic effects, among other things. RIVM also looked at what is known in science about nuisance caused by the visual aspects of wind turbines and other non-acoustic factors, such as the local decision-making process.
The results are set out in the terms and conditions of the permit. Thanks to these conditions, local residents in the Netherlands are protected against disproportionate shadow flicker or noise pollution. Noise nuisance and shadow flicker are well controlled by placing wind turbines at a sufficient distance from homes. On average, an individual wind turbine may not make more than 47 decibels of noise. At night, this should not be more than an average of 41 decibels.
Note: The maps mentioned only give a rough idea of the amount of noise in the Netherlands. These maps are not suitable for testing noise levels against the standards, for example for 'noise exposure on the façade'.
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