A look at Green Trust’s strategies for managing noise complaints 
 
Noise complaints, how do we manage these? Senne and Romana, two dedicated Asset Managers, share valuable insights into the challenges and meticulous processes involved in handling noise complaints. 
 
Reports of unusual noise from a wind park come to our Asset Management department. These may come from a landowner, a company in the area or a passerby of a wind park. Think, for example, of a whistling sound or a popping noise. Our managers take every sound seriously to find out if something is wrong. 'It's really important to first detect where the sound is coming from because a small sound could escalate into a bigger problem. We take the complaints seriously, listen and try to find a solution,’ Romana explains. 
 
Understanding the source of complaints 
Noise complaints often arise from specific turbine issues. Senne notes that malfunctions in the generator or peeling paint on blades can lead to distinctive sounds, like a low hum or a whistle. The team handles complaints methodically by first analysing the data of the wind turbine that got a noise complaint, then asking residents or other complainers questions about the sound they heard, its timing, and their proximity to the turbine to rule out other potential sources. 
 
Data-driven analysis 
To identify a noise complaint our team checks data for any anomalies. For instance, an inverter defect could reduce a turbine’s capacity, changing its operating sound. In other cases, a gap between magnets may increase vibrations, producing a sound that travels far. If data doesn’t pinpoint an issue, Senne and Romana might even conduct a site visit to hear it for themselves. 
 
Thereby Romana emphasizes the importance of staying connected with other asset managers to exchange noise-handling strategies. “We hold regular meetings, sharing our challenges and solutions,” she says.  
 
Challenges in managing noise perception 
One of the biggest challenges Senne and Romana face is subjective noise perception. People might report hearing a noise even when standing next to the turbine reveals no audible sound. With every case, they learn to go beyond the numbers, recognizing that noise complaints can be influenced by environmental factors - such as nearby construction - or even media coverage trends, which can heighten community sensitivity to turbine noise. 
 
Long-term improvements and continuous adaptation 
Years of analysis led Senne to advocate for expanded data access, allowing the team to verify turbine functions independently of manufacturers. This ability enables the team to respond more efficiently to potential issues, reducing the turnaround time for complaint resolution. 

Despite their efforts, Romana stresses that satisfying everyone is challenging. “We’ve learned to take every complaint seriously, as things can escalate if left unchecked. Even if it’s a unique case, we strive to detect the root cause, recognizing that each location and situation has its nuances,” she says. 

As the landscape around wind parks evolves - new housing developments, seasonal changes in noise perception, and nearby solar parks that alter sound propagation - their work grows more complex. However, with each new case, Senne, Romana, and their team enhance their ability to ensure peace in the surrounding communities while fostering a more sustainable future through wind energy.