1. Acoustical consultants are essential for mitigating noise from Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) installations to comply with local regulations and prevent community annoyance, especially since BESS facilities are typically located close to residential properties.
2. Noise issues from data centers and bitcoin mining facilities without specific noise regulations have led to public negativity, highlighting the importance of addressing noise concerns in emerging technologies such as BESS.
3. BESS technology is still evolving, and manufacturers need to invest in quieter products to manage noise issues as BESS installations become more prevalent and are located closer to populations in urban areas worldwide.
Battery energy storage facilities (BESS) are an emerging part of the electrical grid, with equipment that can generate noise due to cooling systems, inverters, and transformers. As BESS technology expands and installations are located closer to communities, the issue of noise and noise mitigation becomes increasingly important, especially in densely populated areas in Europe, the US, Australia, and elsewhere. Manufacturers of BESS equipment need to invest in quieter products and better documentation of sound emissions to manage potential noise issues effectively.
To address noise concerns, acoustical consultants can help developers understand local noise regulations, model sound emissions from the facility to the community, and implement noise control measures. These measures include reducing noise at the source, altering the path of sound transmission, and mitigating noise at sensitive receivers. Post-construction sound measurements may be necessary to ensure compliance with noise criteria.
It is crucial to involve acoustical consultants early in the design and planning of BESS facilities to avoid future problems with permitting and public relations. With thoughtful approaches and effective noise control treatments, BESS facilities can integrate into electrical grids without causing excessive noise for nearby residents. Ethan Brush, a Principal at Acentech with expertise in acoustics and technology consulting, emphasizes the importance of addressing noise issues in BESS installations for successful project implementation.