The impact of sound ordinances on the land-based wind technical potential of the United States

Jianyu Gu (), Andrew Glaws, Dylan Harrison-Atlas, Pietro Bortolotti, Kenneth Kaliski and Anthony Lopez
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Jianyu Gu: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Andrew Glaws: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Dylan Harrison-Atlas: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Pietro Bortolotti: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Kenneth Kaliski: RSG
Anthony Lopez: National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Nature Energy, 2025, vol. 10, issue 5, 641-654

Abstract: Abstract The rapid rise of sound ordinances has affected wind energy siting across state, county and local jurisdictions. Quantifying this impact on wind energy potential is required for effective energy planning. However, complex turbine sound modelling combined with evolving policies have contributed to limited understanding of these policies’ impact on national wind technical potential. Here we develop an approach to evaluate wind turbine sound profiles across the United States and calculate setback distances from residential structures to translate sound-related policies into spatial turbine siting criteria. Compared to a baseline scenario that ignores sound, we find an 8% reduction in wind energy capacity when accounting for existing sound ordinances. Further, extrapolating a 45-A-weighted decibel (dBA) limit nationwide shows a 29% decline, disproportionately taken from high-quality and low-cost wind capacity. This reveals sound ordinances as a major factor in determining wind technical potential that could challenge US decarbonization goals reliant on wind energy.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41560-025-01739-3

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