Energy enhancement through noise minimization using acoustic metamaterials in a wind farm

Abstract

The determinantal noise pollution from wind turbines has constricted the acceptance of wind energy, posing health and environmental concerns. Existing solutions often compromise wind turbine efficiency or wind farm output, limiting the full utilization of wind energy. To address this challenge, we propose a novel method of effectively employing acoustic metamaterials (AMMs) inside a wind farm that leverages phase cancellation for noise suppression and energy enhancement. Through a combined phase retrieval, noise propagation model, and genetic algorithm, we determine the optimal layout and structural design of these AMMs inside a wind farm to minimize noise. We present two AMM designs, full-walled and segmented, and demonstrate their effectiveness for both single-turbine and multiple-turbine layout scenarios by achieving 91% (in Pa) and 10%–68% (in Pa) noise reduction, respectively, compared to reference layouts. Furthermore, we exhibit the AMM's impact in enhancing the energy throughput of wind farms by installing an additional wind turbine in a noise-restricted area of an existing AMM-equipped wind farm while maintaining a 70% (in Pa) reduction in noise levels. This approach paves the way for constructing wind farms near urban-suburban areas, complying with landscaping and visual government policies, and securing community acceptance towards sustainable power generation systems.