Initial results of research into the effect of wind turbines this year
The Einstein Telescope EMR project office has been conducting research into the effects of wind turbines on the underground telescope for some time now. This is being done in collaboration with partners RWTH Aachen, the University of Liège and Nikhef. The purpose of these studies is to determine whether measures can be taken to limit or mitigate the impact of the noise caused by wind turbines.
The noise from wind turbines disrupts the measurements of the Einstein Telescope. For this reason, the responsible authorities in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany have taken steps in recent years to temporarily not allow any new wind turbines in the search and protection area for the Einstein Telescope in the Meuse-Rhine Euregion (see box). These measures will remain in force until it is clear whether the telescope can be built in the region.
Research
Nikhef, the scientific partner in the Einstein Telescope EMR project office, has indicated that it is investigating whether it is possible to reduce the adverse noise effects with so-called mitigating measures. This research, in collaboration with RWTH Aachen and the University of Liège, covers a number of sub-studies. In general terms, these concern:
1. Measuring the seismic and acoustic noise of wind turbines in the search area and at remote locations. (University of Liège).
2. A model design of how this noise behaves within the geology of the search area, more specifically around the (as yet unknown) vertices. (University of Liège).
3. Research into alternative ways of constructing and anchoring wind turbines. The aim is to find ways to mitigate the impact of the noise. For example, RWTH Aachen recently completed a seismic measurement of a wind turbine on a wooden girder. This data is currently being analysed.
The results and the interrelationship between these studies should answer the question of whether there are options to limit the impact of noise on the functioning of the Einstein Telescope. Based on this, advice will be provided that governments can use for permit regulations for wind turbines in relation to the distance to the Einstein Telescope.
The results of most of the work packages are scheduled for release in the course of 2025. The final findings, which will integrate the results of all the sub-studies, are expected a year later.
Background information
In 2022, the then Dutch minister Robbert Dijkgraaf (Education, Culture and Science) asked his counterparts in Flanders, Wallonia and North Rhine-Westphalia to halt the construction of new wind turbines pending the choice of location for the Einstein Telescope. This was done at the request of Nikhef, scientific partner in the Einstein Telescope project office. Wind turbines cause noise and this noise disrupts the functioning of the Einstein Telescope. The frequencies of wind turbines are in the same bandwidth as the low-frequency detector of the Einstein Telescope. For that reason, the Dutch province of Limburg decided at the end of 2022 to impose a standstill on the construction of new wind turbines in the Limburg search and protection area. In the course of 2023, the responsible ministers in Flanders and Wallonia took similar steps via circulars. In addition, the Belgian Council of State (Conseil d’Etat) has put on hold permits issued for several wind turbines in Wallonia because they conflict with the interests of the Einstein Telescope. From North Rhine-Westphalia, state secretary Gonca Türkeli-Dehnert made a statement on this matter on behalf of minister Liminski during the ministerial conference in Brussels in September 2023: ‘Minister Nathanael Liminski has agreed with the mayor of Aachen that the expansion of wind energy there should not jeopardise the development of the Einstein Telescope. The enormous opportunities offered by the Einstein Telescope are in the common interest of the entire region and therefore also of the city of Aachen.’
