Noise and Vibration from Urban Wind Turbines

Current planning guidance in London requires all new and refurbished large buildings to produce 20 % of their electrical needs via renewable means. This policy came into effect in 2004. In compliance with the guidance London South Bank University installed a 6 kW wind turbine upon a refurbished office building. This paper summarises an investigation into the relationship between wind, energy, noise and vibration for urban wind turbine. The eighteen month feasibility study took the form of measurement and predictions of wind, noise, vibration and electricity generated. It is possible to install an urban wind turbine or urbine in a large city without impacting the environment to negatively affect the community. It is also possible to optimise the location of the urbine to maximise power generation to reduce the price per kWh of electricity produced.