Wind Turbines in Ontario: Hazard or Outrage?

Transcription

1 Wind Turbines in Ontario: Hazard or Outrage? Ray Copes, MD, MSc Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto

2 Disclaimer No organizational position, personal professional assessment New arrival on the scene Much of the original i work done while at National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health ca

3 Why the Controversy? Are there any unique hazards associated with wind turbines? Are wind turbines riskier than other means of power generation? Is this new technology or a new source of risk that requires precaution or more study before we proceed? Are regulators failing to meet a usual or target standard d of risk reduction? Is it NIMBY? Why is it such an issue in Ontario?

4 Proponents of Wind Power Clean technology, non combustion, an answer to climate change and local/regional air pollution, helps us meet emissions targets Renewable Economic benefits for rural communities and residents Industrial development opportunity for the province Well proven technology used in Europe for decades.

5 Citi Critics of fwind dpower Cost - it doesn t make sense, public will pay more than they should for power. Is it really green or are there more effective ways to reduce GHG emissions and local pollutants? Unfair, lack of local input and say in WT developments. Little or no benefit to most people in the community. Secretive deals with wind companies, no transparency. Siting and regulatory criteria are insufficiently stringent Health, it is making me sick. I cannot enjoy my property or sit outside; it has ruined my landscape and soundscape. What is my property worth now? Financial impact.

6 Wind Turbine HEIGHT: approx 80m BLADE LENGTH: approx 40m WIND SPEED: 4 25 m/s for operation ROTOR SPEED: approx 15 rpm TIP SPEED: >60 m/s

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8 Wind Turbines in Canada 3319 MW (1.1% of energy needs), Ontario 1168 MW Source: CanWEA

9 Public Health Concerns Photo: Edenfield, Lancashire, UK Sound and Vibration Noise levels/intensity Low frequency noise Variation EMF exposure Shadow flicker Aesthetics Icing Structural failure Occupation Health & Safety Environmental impacts

10 Sound Sound produced by wind turbines is aerodynamic or mechanical in nature Infrasound and low frequency noise most controversial in terms of health Aerodynamic modulation: Uneven nature of wind turbines ( swoosh swoosh ) perceived as more annoying than steady white noise

11 Wind farm sound 40dB, Environmental assessment of GO train expansion 58-69dB with barriers homes m from tracks Source: CCOHS

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13 Noise Vibroacoustic disease (VAD): - theoretically full body pathology causing widespread homeostatic imbalances - related to chronic exposure to very high levels of LFN (e.g. airline mechanics) No published data that confirm the claims of adverse health effects for lowfrequency sounds of low pressure (i.e. below 20 Hz and 110 db) 1999 WHO report on community noise considers inaudible LFN to be of no concern Reports of pressure sensation in ear, intrusive vibration, sleep disturbance, irritation, conversation disruption Pierpont Wind Turbine Syndrome

14 EMF Exposure Four potential sources from wind farms: 1. Grid connection lines 2. Wind turbine generators 3. Electrical transformers 4. Underground network cables

15 EMF Exposure No scientific consensus on health risks from magnetic fields IARC 2B: Possibly carcinogenic Weak association with childhood leukemia e EMF concerns not specific to wind energy all electric transmission Max EMF to be transmission lines rather than turbines

16 Shadow Flicker Occurs when turbine blades rotate in low- angle sun Large moving shadows on ground Intermittent light reduction indoors Depends on sun angle and siting (size, profile/height, direction, turbine density, distance from turbine) Buildings SE of turbines most impacted

17 Shadow Flicker Lasts a very short period of time (approx. 30 min at sunrise or sunset) when conditions are present Most pronounced at distances from wind turbines less than 300 m (1,000 feet) Reports of dizziness and disorientation when inner ear and visual cues disagree No evidence of health effects Aesthetic or nuisance effect

18 Shadow Flicker & Epilepsy People with epilepsy are rarely light sensitive (5%) Sensitivity occurs at Hz Epilepsy Foundation: flicker frequencies >10 Hz may trigger epileptic seizures Blade passage frequency of typical modern wind turbine = 05to1Hz 0.5

19 Aesthetics PHOTOS: Wikimedia Commons Visual impacts are a major concern for those living near wind farms Perception of visual impact affects noise perception (Pederson & Larsmann 2008) Not a risk to health, but a legitimate concern

20 Ii Icing Glaze ice: Liquid precipitation or fog/cloud contacts cold surfaces (<0 C) Smooth, hard, transparent, highly adhesive Significant formation if temp just below freezing, high winds, and large diameter water droplets Usually falls shortly after forming; usually falls straight down Most likely form of ice in lowland coastal regions Rime ice: Cloud contact t with cold surfaces at colder temps, usually high elevation White, opaque, granular Adhesion less strong than glaze ice Sometimes thrown, but usually breaks into smaller pieces

21 Glaze ice from ice storm PHOTOS: Wikimedia Commons Rime ice from frozen fog at high elevation

22 Ice Throw & Ice Shed Ice fall from stationary 2 MW turbines estimated at <50 m Ice from moving blades mostly m from base, with mass up to 1 kg European studies have identified a safe distance of m US study recommends m for 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 100,000 annual strike risk Recommended to stop turbines in icing conditions automatic or manualal

23 Structural Failure 68,000 wind turbines have been installed worldwide over the last 25 years Documented blade failures: Max reported distance for entire blade = 150 m Max reported distance for blade fragment = 500 m Dutch handbook ( data): Partial or full blade failure rates range from 1 in 2,400 to 1 in 20, turbines per year Although rare, failure is extremely hazardous Gale force winds?

24 Khan M M Iqbal M T and Khan F 2005 Reliability and condition monitoring of a wind turbine 18th Khan M M, Iqbal M T and Khan F 2005 Reliability and condition monitoring of a wind turbine 18th Ann. Canadian Conf. Electrical and Computer Engineering (Saskatchewan, Canada) pp

25 Occupational Health and Safety Construction and maintenance work covered by existing Occupational Health and Safety guidelines for heavy equipment construction and work on tall structures Maintenance more difficult in icing conditions due to ice on structure and ladders access to components is more challenging Maintenance is dangerous due to height, especially marine wind farms

26 Environmental Impacts Wildlife: Resident, migratory, and endangered species Concerns re: Loss of habitat and/or change in habitat/ vegetative cover Mortality due to collision Barotrauma (bats) Weather and climate: Possible alterations to local weather due to increased turbulence and surface roughness Climate change impacts likely negligible due to benefits in reducing global CO 2 emissions & air pollutants

27 Setbacks Ice throw: Europe: m US: m = 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 100,000 strike risk Generally within noise setbacks Structural failure: m for blade failure Noise setbacks normally exceed distances recommended for safety Setbacks for noise and visual perceptions are more difficult because they are subjective rather than risk-based

28 Noise is really at the Heart of the Controversy in Ontario

29 Noise Level Limits* Wind Speed (m/s) Leq (dba) Quebec (not specific to wind turbines) 40 (night; Zone I) 45 (night; Zone II) 1 hr Leq Ontario 40 ( m setback) Noise study required if >26WT or SPL >107dB Alberta (night; quiet rural area) (Dir. 038) NIA must be conducted BC (residentially zoned)

30 Noise Levels Recommended guideline for Canada: Sound levels at receptor <45 dba Will not exceed room criterion for rattle in 63 Hz octave band (ANSI S12.2) Will not exceed WHO recommendation of sound levels indoors <30 dba for continuous background noise for good night s sleep (with 20 db attenuation of dwelling)

31 Detection vs. Annoyance Survey of residents living close (>30dBA) to turbines of > 500kW in SwedenPedersen and Waye 2007 Occup. Environ. Med Proportion of respondents who noticed sound increased almost linearly with increasing db(a) At <32.5 db(a) less than 30% noticed sound from wind turbines at , 76% noticed, at >40, 90% noticed. The relationship between annoyance and db(a) was non-linear. At less than 37.5 db(a) 3-4% expressed annoyance, at , 6% were annoyed, at SPL > 40, 15% were annoyed Why is this relationship different?

32 What Influences Annoyance? In Swedish study- no relation to age, gender, employment. Living in a rural area, living in an area with low subjectively rated background noise, being noise sensitive, having a negative attitude towards wind turbines in general or their visual impact on the landscape were associated with annoyance. Are they inside or outside my territory Characteristics of wind turbine noise (not steady or random) may also affect annoyance

33 Is it all about Sound or Is Something Else at Work?

34 Risk = Hazard + Outrage Probably the most important equation in EnvHealth Cuts both ways sometimes public s level or concern is greater than PH professionals, sometimes much less. Peter Sandman Risk Communications and Perceptions Cultural Theory of Risk Douglas, Wildavsky

35 12 Principal Outrage Components from Sandman, 1991 Safe Risky Voluntary Coerced Natural Industrial Familiar Exotic Not memorable Memorable Not dreaded Dreaded Chronic Catastrophic Knowable Unknowable Individually id controlled Controlled by others Fair Unfair Morally irrelevant Morally relevant Trustworthy sources Untrustworthy sources Responsive process Unresponsive process

36 Can regulated setback distances ever be effective in mitigating annoyance?

37 What is NIMBY?from Wolsink Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews A positive attitude towards the application of wind power, combined with an intention to oppose the construction of any wind power scheme in one s own neighbourhood. The not in any backyard variant, which means opposition to the application of wind power in the neighbourhood because the technology of wind power as such is rejected. This attitude is mainly based on concerns about landscape values. A positive attitude towards wind farms, which turns into a negative attitude as a result of the discussion surrounding the proposed construction of a wind farm. Resistance created by the fact that some construction plans themselves are faulty, without a rejection of the technology itself.

38 Opposition to wind power developments can be due to any of the above, but only the first is truly NIMBY According to Wolsink, although selfishness may be the assumed motive behind opposition to wind power developments, feelings about fairness and equity may be a more accurate descriptor. Relative success with siting in Denmark and Germany is contrasted with failures in the Netherlands and the UK. May be linked to local versus central decision making on project siting

39 Health Survey - Wind vigilance for Ontario communtities Self reporting survey 98 report health affected, 26 did not Recorded reports of headaches, palpitations, excessive tiredness, stress, anxiety, tinnitus, hearing problems, sleep disturbance, migraine, depression, other Allowed people to record their experiences, examples follow

40 What do neighbours say? I can no longer sleep at all in the summer with my window open because the noise drives me nuts. I can also hear it sometimes when the windows are closed. The scenic landscape has been ruined both day and night. I have had people p over and we would be sitting outside at night and they would tell me that those red lights would drive them crazy. It would be hard for me to say what is worse the noise or the lights.

41 What do neighbours say? Biggest factor is the noise Unable to sleep with windows open at night and I m a poor sleeper under good conditions. When I m outside gardening or reading the consistent noise from the blades turning very irritating and I find I have a pressure in my ears that wasn t there prior to the last few months.

42 What do the neighbours say? I cannot go a day without thinking about Wind Turbines. They are everywhere you look, noisy, lights flashing. Does the Wind Farm effect our familes Health. How long does it take 1 year/5 years/10 years. I do not know exactly how much value our house has lost. 40/50/60 THOUSAND MAYBE? If you raise a family today, How long does it take to save 60 THOUSAND DOLLARS. I believe we lost that. One thing that could make matters worse is the idea that my tax Dollars might be subsidizing a Wind Project. Thanks for your efforts.

43 What do the neighbours say? My doctor does not understand the situation. My doctor does not have any information on the symptoms. I believe my quality of life has deteriorated as have my property values. My dogs seem to be more clingy towards me and My dogs seem to be more clingy towards me and seem to overreact when I return after being away for several hours.

44 What do the neighbours say? Annoyed at visual sight as well as hearing the noise generated. Was expecting to enjoy peace and tranquillity, not being intruded upon by the multitude of turbines.

45 What do the neighbours say? I am disgusted with the attempts of WAG to try and brainwash residents. I am sure if you checked you will find these people (WAG) to be less than truthful and very bitter. I have dealt with these people and I am glad NOT to call them friends. I have livestock, no problems.

46 And now from Oregon

47 Comment from Sagebrush at I have to say first that I can feel for these people: They live in a place where noise has never been an issue before and it s really sad that this new technology will have a negative impact on some people. Having said that, I can also say that I stopped to look as I drove through an area with a bunch of these, and they didn t seem that loud to me. Louder than nothing, for sure, but not unlivable. I could hear it, and I can see where someone could be irritated i by it, especially if they get angry because of it. It certainly was not as loud as the (very livable) sounds of where I live: Trains, trucks, cars, planes, etc., the sounds of a port city that exports some of what they grow out there so that they can make a living. It s necessary, and we learn to tolerate. We need this alternative. Nuclear might someday hold the answer, but not yet (my opinion). This alternative is pretty darned good. It might be worth relocating a few people. There is no alternative whatsoever that will have no impact on anyone.

48 Current issues in Ontario Explaining the basis of the standard Process -Not handled in manner comparable to other developments Lack of compliance monitoring Little background monitoring i to place WT noise in context Will more Health studies really answer questions; is the exposure noise or WT?

49 Can we Progress? Government improve communication, compliance monitoring, determine if policy updates needed Wind Industry - code of ethics for members, acceptable business practices, improve monitoring data for public, response to complaints Members of the public - societal vs. personal POV, what is realistic standard of protection that can be achieved in consistent manner. PH professionals empathy, present evidence, recognize gaps

50 Conclusions Based on best available evidence, any identified risks can be addressed through siting (setbacks) and operating practices. Without local input to siting, likely that opposition to WT projects will continue. No basis for selecting a setback distance that will satisfy everyone unless WT cannot be heard or seen. Most consistent complaints reported by residents close to WT are related to annoyance, sleep disturbance and stress Although little measurement data available on ambient sound levels around WT developments, at levels of sound expected based on modelling, the existence of a unique medical condition associated with sound from WT seems implausible.