Monitoring and Modelling the Vibrational Effects of Small (<50 kW) Wind Turbines on the Eskdalemuir IMS Station

It is known (Styles et al., 2005) that windfarms generate low frequency vibrations which propagate through the ground and have the potential to adversely affect sensitive installations, most notably seismometer arrays set up to monitor for nuclear tests. Significant work on the effects of large wind turbines has been carried out by Keele University as well as by Schofield (2002) and Fiori et al (2009). For the Eskdalemuir International Monitoring System station in Scotland, a vibration threshold was set, for wind farms within 50 km of Eskdalemuir, at frequencies around the 4 to 5 Hz region. However, with increased development, the threshold is being approached and small wind turbines (less than 50kW), even of the order of 15kW have also been restricted despite the differences in scale and modes of vibration. In order to protect Eskdalemuir a threshold limit was set for any turbine as a holding measure and a programme to try to establish whether they were really problematic has been carried out. Models for two wind turbine types from the manufacturers Proven and Gaia-Wind have been calculated and measurement programmes carried out. It has been possible to demonstrate that in most cases these small turbines do not generate significant energy in the band of concern and that the levels are low enough to be negligible. Small turbines once evaluated and monitored by Keele University and given approval by the UK Ministry of Defence, will receive clearance for deployment around the Eskdalemuir site at distances greater than 10km

Long term time-lapse microgravity and geotechnical monitoring of relict salt-mines, Marston, Cheshire, UK.

The area around the town of Northwich in Cheshire, U. K., has a long history of catastrophic ground subsidence caused by a combination of natural dissolution and collapsing abandoned mine workings within the underlying Triassic halite bedrock geology. In the village of Marston, the Trent and Mersey Canal crosses several abandoned salt mine workings and previously subsiding areas, the canal being breached by a catastrophic subsidence event in 1953. This canal section is the focus of a long-term monitoring study by conventional geotechnical topographic and microgravity surveys. Results of 20 years of topographic time-lapse surveys indicate specific areas of local subsidence that could not be predicted by available site and mine abandonment plan and shaft data. Subsidence has subsequently necessitated four phases of temporary canal bank remediation. Ten years of microgravity time-lapse data have recorded major deepening negative anomalies in specific sections that correlate with topographic data. Gravity 2D modeling using available site data found upwardly propagating voids, and associated collapse material produced a good match with observed microgravity data. Intrusive investigations have confirmed a void at the major anomaly. The advantages of undertaking such long-term studies for near-surface geophysicists, geotechnical engineers, and researchers working in other application areas are discussed

Seismic monitoring and vibrational characterization of small wind turbines: A case study of the potential effects on the Eskdalemuir International Monitoring System Station in Scotland

This paper presents a case study of the ground-borne vibrations generated by small wind turbines. This is of particular importance for assessing the possible impact on the detection capabilities of the International Monitoring System seismic array at Eskdalemuir in Scotland. Measurements were gathered from a selection of small wind turbines (≤50 kW), from three different manufacturers, varying in hub height, power and construction using a range of accelerometers and seismometers fixed to the tower and buried in the adjacent ground at increasing distances. Previous studies have shown that medium and large turbines generate harmonic vibrations. Planning guidelines exist but have inadvertently led to a ban on the deployment of individual small-turbines within 50 km of the array. This study investigates whether their inclusion in these guidelines is necessary. Vibration levels on the tower are in the region of 10 -3 m/sqrt(Hz), are transferred into the ground and decay rapidly away from the turbine (10 -5 m/sqrt(Hz) in the ground at 200 m). The spectral content of the vibrations shows variations between the turbines, but each have peaks in the band of interest for Eskdalemuir. Further, sources of the peaks in the spectra are identified as either originating from the blades’ rotation or the resonant modes of the turbines. Analysis of the relationship between wind speed and seismic amplitude on the tower shows an exponential trend, individual to each wind turbine and the frequency band of interest. Similarly, analysis of the seismic amplitude between the tower and foundation shows that this can be described by a power law, but this is individual to each turbine. It is our opinion that there is little requirement to include turbines of 50 kW or less in planning guidelines outside the statutory exclusion zone of 10 km, but each turbine should be considered on an individual basis

A Review of Using Mathematical Modeling to Improve Our Understanding of Bacteriophage, Bacteria, and Eukaryotic Interactions

Phage therapy, the therapeutic usage of viruses to treat bacterial infections, has many theoretical benefits in the ‘post antibiotic era’. Nevertheless, there are currently no approved mainstream phage therapies. One reason for this is a lack of understanding of the complex interactions between bacteriophage, bacteria and eukaryotic hosts. These three-component interactions are complex, with non-linear or synergistic relationships, anatomical barriers and genetic or phenotypic heterogeneity all leading to disparity between performance and efficacy in in vivo versus in vitro environments. Realistic computer or mathematical models of these complex environments are a potential route to improve the predictive power of in vitro studies and to streamline lab work. Here, we review the current status of mathematical modelling and highlight that data on mutational stochasticity, time delays and population densities could be critical in the development of realistic phage therapy models. With this in mind, we aim to inform and encourage the collaboration and sharing of knowledge and expertise between microbiologists and theoretical modellers, smoothing the road to regulatory approval and widespread use of phage therapy

Vibrations Caused by Pile Driving

Ground vibrations caused by impact were measured at two sites; one consisting of sand and the other of clay. Measurements were made at various radial distances from the impact location. The impact was produced by a weight falling either on to a plate or on to a rod partly driven into the ground, the latter case simulating pile driving on a small scale. When expressed in terms of scaled energy, the measured peak particle velocities were in reasonable agreement with some of the published data for clay sites but the agreement was poorer for sand sites. Several theoretical expressions were developed for peak particle velocity for both body and Rayleigh waves. All of these expressions yielded calculated velocities that were considerably greater than the values observed. It is considered that at least some of the disagreement could be attributed to energy losses

Incentives facing UK-listed companies to comply with the risk reporting provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code

Recent changes made to the UK Corporate Governance Code require UK firms to report new or enhanced narrative information concerning their principal risks, their risk management processes and their future viability. This paper analyses whether the level and nature of voluntary compliance with these new requirements is consistent with alternative economic and political visibility incentives. We analyse relevant sections of financial reports produced by industry matched samples of large-, mid-and small-cap UK listed firms during the transitional 2013-14 financial reporting years. Both specific and generic readability attributes of the reports are measured. We find that virtually no firm in our sample has provided any viability statement. Empirical analysis of disclosures concerning principal risk assessment and review processes appear to be primarily motivated by political visibility reasons. Examples of particularly good and cases of poor corporate risk reporting practices are also discussed. Possible implications for the actuarial profession are discussed