Articles | Volume 10, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-10-579-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-10-579-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
20 Mar 2025
Research article |
| 20 Mar 2025
| 20 Mar 2025
Exploring noise annoyance and sound quality for airborne wind energy systems: insights from a listening experiment
Department of Flow Physics and Technology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2629 HS, the Netherlands
Renatto M. Yupa-Villanueva
Department of Aircraft Noise and Climate Effects, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2629 HS, the Netherlands
Daniele Ragni
Department of Flow Physics and Technology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2629 HS, the Netherlands
Roberto Merino-Martínez
Department of Aircraft Noise and Climate Effects, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2629 HS, the Netherlands
Piet J. R. van Gool
Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5612 AE, the Netherlands
Roland Schmehl
Department of Flow Physics and Technology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, 2629 HS, the Netherlands
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Short summary
This study investigates noise annoyance caused by airborne wind energy systems (AWESs), a novel wind energy technology that uses kites to harness high-altitude winds. Through a listening experiment with 75 participants, sharpness was identified as the key factor predicting annoyance. Fixed-wing kites generated more annoyance than soft-wing kites, likely due to their sharper, more tonal sound. The findings can help improve AWESs’ designs, reducing noise-related disturbances for nearby residents.
This study investigates noise annoyance caused by airborne wind energy systems (AWESs), a novel...
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