Investigation, prediction and evaluation of wind turbine noise in Japan

While increasing in size and number, wind turbines in Japan are often located in quiet rural area due to its lack of shallow adjacent sea and its geographically unbalanced wind energy. Since quieter environment makes wind turbine noise more noticeable, this location of wind turbines sometimes raises complaints about noise by neighborhood residents even if generated noise from wind turbines is not quite loud. Ministry of the Environment of Japan has developed an interim report on investigation, prediction and evaluation methods of wind turbine noise based on recent scientific findings including the results of nationwide field measurements and related surveys in Japan. The challenges to be addressed are also identified.