1

Lower & Stabilized Rates

Price paid by Fox Islands Electric Coop for energy (excluding T&D): 2004-2008

2

Sound Issues

• While some neighbors have stated that the sound is not bothersome, some have raised serious concerns

• Themes that have emerged:– Wind turbine sound as a subjective experience

with individualized impacts (see Acoustic Ecology Institute)

– Difficulties with discussing decibels

3

Vinalhaven Experiences

“We have found that the 45 dBA limit that is designated as “quiet” in Maine is truly a cruel joke. On our quiet

cove, we now know that 45 dBA is loud.”

“They don’t bother me at all. It doesn’t sound any

different than when you’ve got a dishwasher running in your house.”

4

Influence of Place Identity?

Acoustic Ecology Institute:• Two ways of viewing rural lifestyle and

landscape:– “Countryside is a place for economic activity and

technical developments/experimentation”Vinalhaven: “Places cannot be exporters of sheep, wood, granite, and fish without creating noise. Audible vibrations are the sounds of life, work, and prosperity.”

5

Influence of Place Identity?

Acoustic Ecology Institute:• Two ways of viewing rural lifestyle and

landscape:– “Countryside is a place for peace and restoration”

Vinalhaven: “The quality of life that we came here for was quiet. You don't live in a place where you have to take an hour-and-15-minute ferry ride to live next to an industrial park. And that's where we are right now.”

6

Fox Islands Response• The community has undertaken a number of

initiatives in an attempt to lessen annoyance while retaining economic benefits: – Operational measures– New GE blade technology– Noise Reduced Operation (NRO) study– National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) study– Active Noise Cancellation development

7

Noise Reduced Operation (NRO) Study

http://eetd.lbl.gov/ea/emp/reports/lbnl-3562e.pdf

• Will reduction in sound levels result in reduced annoyance?– Random adjustment of

nighttime NRO, neighbors logging subjective experiences

• Results– Self-reported annoyance levels

found to be somewhat lower during NRO but statistically insignificant in part due to low participation rate

8

NREL Study• Fox Islands Coop enlisted team

of engineers and social scientists • May 2010 site visit and

community interviews• 2010-2011 study:

– Log experiences– Identify bothersome noise

characteristics and their sources– Identify mitigation options– Present findings to community

Engineers at the site - 2010

http://www.foxislandswind.com/sound.html

9

Active Noise Cancellation• Seed grant from Maine

Technology Institute to develop technology

• Currently several applications (headphones, high-end cars) but first for wind project

• Promising testing but further development needed

10

Summary• Focusing on subjective responses in addition to

decibel levels• Looking for innovative solutions that balance

community needs and concerns• Engaging community in related challenges,

opportunities and decision-making• Sharing experiences and research findings with

other communities, developers, manufacturers and government

11

Additional Resourceswww.foxislandswind.comwww.acousticecology.org

NRO Study: http://eetd.lbl.gov/ea/emp/reports/lbnl-3562e.pdf NREL Study: http://www.foxislandswind.com/sound.html

2010 Coop Survey: http://www.foxislandswind.com/surveyresults_072010.html “The Fox Islands Wind Project,” James Lassiter,

Harvard Business Case Study, June 2010

Suzanne PudeCommunity Energy Director spude@islandinstitute.org(207) 594-9209 ext. 144