Expanding Australia’s wind energy capacity will help the country meet its net zero ambition, and getting local communities on board is the key to success.
As one of the cleanest forms of renewable energy, wind energy is set to play a big role in Australia’s clean energy future.
However, proposed wind developments often face significant opposition from locals, with some of the most common concerns raised being noise and environmental impact.
Understanding and addressing these issues is essential to gaining community support for new wind projects to boost renewable energy generation as Australia continues to stride towards net zero.
Yaw brake noise
Those living in the vicinity of a proposed wind farm often express concern over the noise that they expect wind turbines will create.
One of the contributing factors is the yaw brakes, which turbines rely on to face into the wind to effectively generate power.
Regal Rexnord’s National Product Manager, Rex Sinclair, explained that noise is generated by contact between the yaw brake pads and the disc during nacelle adjustments.
Wind yaw noise is often caused by glazing on the brake pads, which occurs when high temperatures and friction smooth and harden the brake pads, leading to increased noise when the yaw brakes are engaged.
However, selecting the right parts can go a long way in mitigating this noise.
Environmental concerns
In the age of sustainability, it is no surprise that locals wish to protect their community from environmental harm, and just because wind energy is renewable does not mean it is exempt from this expectation.
One way that wind turbines may negatively impact the environment is through toxic materials in brake dust.
Historically, brake pads were made with toxic materials, including asbestos and high concentrations of heavy metals such as mercury, chromium, lead and cadmium.
“When wind turbines turn around to face the wind, the brakes clamp down, and then when the wind direction changes, the rotor lifts slightly and drags through the brakes, which creates friction and generates brake dust,” Mr Sinclair said.
When this happens, heavy metal remnants are then released into the environment, contaminating surrounding air, soil and water.
A quiet, eco-friendly solution
Svendborg Brakes, a Regal Rexnord brand, is a trusted and reliable partner of the wind industry, having delivered braking solutions to the world’s first offshore wind farm in 1991.
The company is setting a new standard in the wind industry with its Green Alternative friction material, which can help ease concerns about both noise and environmental impact.
Mr Sinclair said that Svendborg Brakes pads are designed to meet strict environmental standards around the globe. The Green Alternative yaw brake friction material is asbestos free, and contains less than 0.1 per cent mercury, chromium 6+ and lead, as well as less than 0.01 per cent cadmium.
This means that Svendborg Brakes pads are not only engineered to produce less brake dust, but that the dust that is created does not contaminate the surrounding environment with toxic materials.
When it comes to noise, Mr Sinclair said that Svendborg Brakes pads are formulated with patented technology, including specifically designed grooves in the yaw brake disc that remove debris build-up and prevent glazing.
“This technology helps to significantly reduce the noise produced, ensuring quieter operation of wind turbines,” Mr Sinclair said.
By reducing both the noise generated and the environmental impact, Svendborg Brakes pads can reassure communities to support new wind projects, helping to boost Australia’s wind energy capacity.
For more information, visit regalrexnord.com
