News & Press
Government Spin the Science on Small Renewables | 19 Nov 2009
Environmental Protection UK1 question the announcement yesterday by Housing Minister John Healey2 that 'strong safeguards in relation to noise levels, size and location' are contained in new proposals to give permitted development rights to small renewables. We are particularly astonished that this claim is applied to wind turbines up to 15 metres high and air source heat pumps3.
The proposal to 'restrict' noise levels from turbines to 45 decibels, flies in the face of the advice of experienced specialist practitioners in environmental health and acoustics4, and recent World Health Organisation Guidelines published on night time noise and health5. Further, claims on the generating potential of these relatively new technologies are exaggerated. Field trials demonstrate that in urban areas they are unlikely to be cost effective, and may even cost money to run.6 Nuisance research shows that at the noise levels proposed they are 98% likely to cause complaints7.
"For those keen to be green and cut their energy costs, small wind turbines are not a panacea at this stage of development of the technology. Allowing permitted development is unlikely to be a cost effective solution to securing our energy future, in view of the likelihood of noise and vibration problems, and low generating potential in any but optimum locations. This proposal shows a blatantly cavalier attitude to the facts" said Philip Mulligan, Chief Executive at Environmental Protection UK.
"With proper advice from specialist practitioners on siting and installation, small renewables can be effective. However, field trials of small wind turbines to date demonstrate that permitted development, as proposed, will make a negligible contribution to carbon reduction targets while having high potential to cause annoyance and disturbance that risk undermining the credibility of the technology"
To quote the Energy Saving Trust,
"Wind turbines do work but only when installed properly in an appropriate location".
More: Mary Stevens 01273 878781/07730 061850
Notes for Editors:
- Environmental Protection UK is the environmental protection charity supported by pollution control professionals. We have been working for a cleaner, quieter, healthier world since 1898.
- John Healy: Removing Red Tape in move Towards a Low Carbon Future
- Air source heat pumps are in effect air conditioning units in reverse – in the Improving Permitted Development consultation, permitted development was proposed for these energy hungry plant, on the rear of buildings at 40dB – we question why the allowance for air source heat pumps should be higher.
Read our response - Micro wind turbines -micro generation
- WHO Night Noise Guidelines for Europe. October 2009, recommend that to avoid health effects, noise at night, outside, should not exceed 40dB
- Location, Location, Location – Energy Saving Trust p. 13 'no urban or suburban building mounted site generated more than £26 pa….some….were found to be net consumers of electricity'
See also the Warwick Wind Trials. - Likelihood of Complaints from the installation of Micro Wind Turbines (MWT) under Permitted Development – Defra Acoustics and Vibration Group, July
2008