Modeling methods and measurements of noise emissions from utility-scale energy storage facilities

This paper presents the results of noise level measurements carried out in the vicinity of a battery energy storage (BESS) facility, and a comparison of the measured levels to manufacturer data and those predicted by a model of the facility using the ISO 9613-2 method. Noise level measurements were carried out both in the near-field and the far-field (3 to 360 feet), encompassed a period of two days to measure noise levels over a variety of operational conditions, and were taken at locations with varying degrees of line-of-sight to the facility. Near-field noise levels were compared to manufacturer data. Far-field levels were compared to those predicted using a model of facility noise emissions based on the ISO 9613-2 method. The accuracy of the model is assessed for a variety of inputs and settings, such as point versus area source modeling, terrain, and diffractions.