Basics of Aeroacoustics for Wind Energy

Aeroacoustics is one of the most important challenges for engineering students approaching the world of sustainable energies. In wind-energy, new wind farms are designed with extremely large rotors. Off-shore wind-farms are additionally built relatively closer to the coast line and to populated areas, in order to benefit from those locations where the winds are relatively stronger. The aim of this course is to provide the students with a fundamental knowledge about noise sources with full focus and attention on the problem of wind-turbine noise. The course is structured in three main areas:

1) Introduction to noise sources and sound:

This module introduces the basic knowledge about sound, sound pressure levels, sound power level and wave propagation.

2) Airfoil self-noise:

In this module the students will study the fundamental sources of noise in airfoils operating at high-Reynolds number, with extension to blade noise for wind-turbine applications.

3) Wind-turbine noise

The third area of the course deals with the theory behind wind-turbine noise. Experimental and numerical applications will be taken into account with an industrial view to the problem and to the most interesting noise-mitigation strategies.