Product category:
Machine Building Components
News Release from: Kimpton Acoustics | Subject: Acoustic enclosures
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 02 February 2007
Double-walled enclosures reduce noise
pollution
Kimpton Acoustics provided enclosures that prevented noise from a Scottish power station bothering nearby residents.
Noise levels from a number of electricity transformers belonging to Scottish Power are being minimised thanks to solutions from Kimpton Acoustics Noise from an electrical sub-station in the picturesque village of Glenluce, in south west Scotland, could be heard by a number of nearby residents and so Scottish Power called in SgurrEnergy, an independent renewable energy consultancy to investigate
Jim Clive, SgurrEnergy's Principal Noise and Vibration Consultant assessed the extent of the problem: "When this particular substation was built, there was no housing nearby, so noise was not an issue, but property development over recent years meant that some noise was now reaching nearby homes".
"We asked Kimpton Acoustics to propose a solution and they designed two double-walled enclosures for the transformers which have eliminated the problem".
"The design challenges for this type of project are significant because of space limitations and the difficulties in attenuating the type of low-frequency noise associated with electrical transformers".
"However, Kimpton Acoustics rose to the challenge, supplying excellent quality products at a highly competitive price".
Kimpton Acoustics solved a similar problem in Glasgow city centre when a development of luxury apartments was built near to a substation which had been in place for more than 40 years.
The large 120MVA electricity transformer could be heard by residents in the new development and so Kimpton designed, constructed and fitted a purpose-built double enclosure to address the problem.
Commenting on the project, Bob Jones of Kimpton said "This type of project requires us to design a bespoke solution".
"The size of the transformer and the limited space available for sound attenuating equipment meant we had to address a range of problems".
"These were successfully overcome and we have heard reports that, because noise levels are so much reduced now, residents thought the sub-station was no longer operating".
In addition to designing noise reduction systems for existing installations, Kimpton Acoustics is involved with some of Scottish Power's most prestigious leading edge developments.
The Whitelee Windfarm is the largest single onshore windfarm being built in Europe.
Situated on Eaglesham Moor, to the south of Glasgow, the facility's 140 turbines will be capable of generating some 322MW of electricity, accounting for over 2% of Scotland's electricity needs in a typical year.
To eliminate the possibility of noise from the windfarm's three transformers reaching residential properties on the fringe of Eaglesham Moor, Kimpton Acoustics is working with the Scottish Power project management team to incorporate acoustic enclosures into the design.
SgurrEnergy's Jim Clive commented, "Whitelee Windfarm is a high-profile project and environmental considerations are of paramount importance".
"Noise attenuation for the transformers is vital as they operate continuously, even in calm conditions when the wind turbines are not turning".
"We had no hesitation in recommending Scottish Power work with Kimpton Acoustics to deliver a system in keeping with this ground breaking technological achievement".
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