Amplitude modulation of wind turbine sound in cold climates

Abstract Amplitude modulation is assumed to be a major annoyance factor of wind turbine sound. However, studies on the generation of amplitude modulation and the impact of atmospheric conditions on amplitude modulation are limited, especially in cold climates. Long-term acoustic and meteorological measurements in the vicinity of a wind farm in northern Sweden show a dependence of the occurrence of amplitude modulation on wind direction and atmospheric stability. The occurrence of amplitude modulation is highest for crosswinds from southwest, compared with the other wind directions. Moreover, the occurrence of amplitude modulation is clearly linked to atmospheric stability and highest for very stable conditions. The impact of atmospheric stability is supported by analyses of wind shear, the wind speed gradient close to the surface and the bulk Richardson number. Amplitude modulation is more likely during winter than during summer and more likely during night and early morning than during noon and early afternoon.