Active Control of Wind Turbine Aerodynamic Noise Using FXLMS Algorithm

Active Noise Control (ANC) is a technique known to produce high level of attenuation in the low frequency range. This paper presents an initial study performed to investigate the possibilities of applying ANC on a wind turbine blade. Investigations were carried out to determine where the ANC system will be installed together with microphones placed strategically and close enough to determine aerodynamic noise. When installed, they were used to measure aerodynamic noise generated which in turn was compared with the noise produced when ANC is installed. The result of this investigation was then implemented to reduce noise in wind turbine blades. While carrying out this study, many factors were considered such as: turbulence, directivity, types of noise generated by the blades and the type of control system that was to be used. Furthermore, a Feed-forward ANC system based on the FXLMS algorithm was applied. Computer simulation, using MATLAB shows how the source noise and the anti-noise together with how they cancelled out are presented.