Offshore Wind Turbine Visibility and Visual Impact Threshold Distances

Author: Sullivan, Robert; et al. | Aesthetics, Siting, U.K., U.S.

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[Abstract] Potential visual impact on coastal lands has emerged as a major concern in the development of offshore wind facilities in the United States and Europe. Optimal siting of offshore facilities requires accurate knowledge of the relationship between distance and the visibility of wind turbines. Past assessments of offshore wind turbine visibility were based on smaller turbines and facilities in use at the time and underestimate visibility for current projects, which use more and larger larger turbines. This study is a preliminary assessment of the visibility of offshore wind facilities in the United Kingdom. Study objectives included identifying the maximum distances the facilities could be seen in both daytime and nighttime views and assessing the effect of distance on visual contrasts associated with the facilities. Results showed that small to moderately sized facilities were visible to the unaided eye at distances greater than 42 km [26 miles (mi)], with turbine blade movement visible up to 39 km (24 mi). At night, aerial hazard navigation lighting was visible at distances greater than 39 km (24 mi). The observed wind facilities were judged to be a major focus of visual attention at distances up to 16 km (10 mi), were noticeable to casual observers at distances of almost 29 km (18 mi), and were visible with extended or concentrated viewing at distances beyond 40 km (25 mi).

Robert G. Sullivan, Leslie B. Kirchler, Environmental Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Illinois
Jackson Cothren, Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies and Department of Geosciences, University of Arkansas Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies, Fayetteville
Snow L. Winters, University of Arkansas Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies, Fayetteville

Environmental Practice 15: 33–49 (March 2013)
doi: 10.10170S1466046612000464

Offshore Wind Turbine Visibility and Visual Impact Threshold Distances

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