Scottish Branch Hybrid AGM and Social

AGM chaired by Anne Budd, Chair of the Scottish Branch Committee.

Presentation by Sabine Von Hünerbein, Senior Lecturer at the University of Salford, on her research into wind turbine noise characteristics and community response

Please join us in person or online for our AGM followed by a presentation from Sabine Von Hünerbein, Senior Lecturer at the University of Salford, on her research into wind turbine noise characteristics and community response.

5:30pm - 5:45pm

Arrival / in-person registration

5:45pm - 6:00pm

Annual General Meeting

Agenda and details about open positions on the Scottish Branch Committee will be circulated by early April. For any enquiries, or if you would like to register interest in getting involved in the committee then please email Anne Budd at anne@newacoustics.co.uk.

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Presentation and Q&A

This presentation summarises a programme of research examining the acoustics, perception, and measurement of wind turbine noise (WTN), with emphasis on amplitude modulation (AM). Aerodynamic and psychoacoustic investigations identified the physical drivers of AM and demonstrated that overall level remains the dominant acoustic predictor of annoyance, while audible tones and high-depth AM increase perceptual prominence. Dose–response relationships were developed to quantify annoyance as a function of AM depth. Community studies and reviews showed that non-acoustic variables—such as visibility, attitudes, and expectations of rural quiet—exert stronger influence than sound level alone, although annoyance typically increases from around 35 dB(A). A major methodological advancement concerns wind-induced microphone noise: simulation and validation studies revealed that turbulence-generated self-noise can inflate AM metrics unless appropriately mitigated. The combined findings provide an integrated evidence base for robust AM characterisation, improved measurement protocols, and informed noise assessment practice.

The presentation will be followed by a short Q&A session.

7:30pm - 9:30pm

Informal dinner + networking at La Fiorentina

Please contact Emily Tilbury (emilyt@metricaconsulting.co.uk) if you wish to join.

About the presenter

Sabine von Hünerbein is a researcher working at the University of Salford and specialising in environmental acoustics with a particular focus on wind turbine noise, psychoacoustics, and community response. She has contributed to understanding the mechanisms and perceptual impacts of amplitude modulation and the development of dose–response relationships. Her work includes studies on wind-induced microphone noise contamination and the reliability of AM measurement methods. Sabine has collaborated widely across academia, government, and industry, providing technical evidence to support noise assessment practice and policy development. Her research integrates laboratory, field, and analytical approaches to improve the characterisation and management of wind turbine noise.

Details

Those planning to attend in person MUST register for security access. The link to register for in person attendance can be found below:

https://www.cpdtag.com/app.php?event=9991590F85A6043C59A2B1A6EC749FF

First and Last Name, and Company, of those attending in person must be provided.

To guarantee entry please register by 11:59pm on Wednesday 22nd April

For those attending in person, please arrive at 5:30pm for prompt 5:45pm start to the AGM.

Those joining online will be issued with the link before the event.

Address

RES, 3rd Floor

STV

Pacific Quay

Glasgow

G51 1PQ

Public transport

•            Catch the low level train from Glasgow Central and get off at Exhibition Centre. Then it's a 12 minute walk to STV Pacific Quay

•            Number 23 bus from Union Street (outside Glasgow Central) stops on Govan Road to the rear of STV Pacific Quay

Car Parking

•            Free parking is non-existent / limited around the office

•            Glasgow Science centre Carpark (£5 for 9 hours), 50 Pacific Quay, G51 1EA (10 minute walk to STV Pacific Quay)

•            Multi-storey carpark across the river beside the OVO Hydro, Stobcross Road, G3 8GS  (12 minute walk to STV Pacific Quay) 1-12 hours £11.00