Preliminary acoustic results are encouraging, says Unifor

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Unifor has published online the results of ongoing acoustic measurements of its wind turbine in Port Elgin, Ontario. The turbine is on the grounds of the union’s Family Education Centre (FEC) in Port Elgin, and has been in operation since 2012. Unifor’s wind turbine generates the equivalent of 50 –60 per cent of the FEC's energy needs from a clean, renewable resource.

Results to-date suggest that, with some exceptions, the turbine’s acoustic performance is within Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) guidelines.

“Unifor has been committed to reducing our union’s reliance on fossil fuels,” said Jerry Dias, Unifor National President. “As a long-term member of the Port Elgin community, Unifor is also committed to meeting or exceeding the MOECC guidelines for our wind turbine’s operation.”

Testing conducted in 2017 showed that, under certain wind conditions, sound levels from the turbine can increase slightly above the normal accepted range. With MOECC consultation, Unifor responded with curtailment measures that reduced the turbine’s operations during the periods when higher sound levels could be expected. The results of this curtailment are currently being assessed and preliminary acoustic testing shows the measures are effective in meeting the MOECC guidelines.

For more information:

http://www.unifor.org/en/education/wind-turbine-project

http://www.unifor.org/en/unifor-wind-turbine-immission-report