Renewable energy sources and noise control—Assessment of noise emissions during construction and operation of renewable energy facilities in urban areas

To achieve climate protection goals, it is essential to adopt renewable energy sources. However, specific projects and measures for the generation and distribution of electricity and thermal energy often face local opposition due to noise emissions from the facilities. Shifting energy and heat production from large, remote facilities to decentralized generation units closer to urban or within residential areas may result in noise emissions that lead to conflicts with nearby residents. Based on a literature review, this study examines potential noise impacts associated with various renewable energy sources (e.g., wind turbines, geothermal systems, heat pumps, biogas plants) during both the construction and operational phases. For instance, in the case of wind turbines, aerodynamic noise generated by the rotor blades during operation is predominant, whereas geothermal systems can cause significant noise emissions during drilling activities. Against this backdrop, the paper identifies technical and planning measures (e.g., sound insulation, optimized facility placement) that can mitigate noise development. The findings of this study demonstrate that climate protection objectives and high standards for noise control can be achieved together. This requires adherence to established and well-known principles of noise protection in the design, planning, and construction of renewable energy facilities.