title: Experimental characterization of vertical-axis wind turbine noise.
abstract: Vertical-axis wind turbines are wind-energy generators suitable for use in urban environments. Their associated noise thus needs to be characterized and understood. As a first step, this work investigates the relative importance of harmonic and broadband contributions via model-scale wind-tunnel experiments. Cross-spectra from a pair of flush-mounted wall microphones exhibit both components, but further analysis shows that the broadband dominates at frequencies corresponding to the audible range in full-scale operation. This observation has detrimental implications for noise-prediction reliability and hence also for acoustic design optimization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, United Kingdom charlie.pearson@gmail.com, wrg11@cam.ac.uk.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, United Kingdom charlie.pearson@gmail.com, wrg11@cam.ac.uk.
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Graham