Landscape Visual Impact Evaluation for Onshore Wind Farm: A Case Study

Abstract

Wind energy is an effective solution for achieving the carbon-neutrality target and mitigating climate change. The expansion of onshore wind energy evokes extensive attention to environmental impact in the locality. The landscape visual impact has become the critical reason for the local protest. This paper proposed a landscape visual impact evaluation (LVIE) model that combines the theoretical framework and practical solutions and optimizes the onshore wind farm planning procedures. Based on the theoretical research on landscape connotation, the evaluation principles, criteria, and a quantitative indicator set is constructed for LVIE model with three dimensions: landscape sensitivity, the visual impact of WTs, and viewer exposure. The practicality of this evaluation model is conducted through multi-criteria GIS analysis by the case study of Friedrich-Wilhelm Raiffeisen Wind Farm in Germany. The evaluation results illustrate detailed, visualized outcomes of landscape visual impact that are deeply combined with planning procedures. The innovation of this paper is to refine the form of evaluation results, optimize the procedures of wind farm planning, and enable cooperation between different planning departments and stakeholders with definite, visible, user-friendly evaluation results. This research provides precise comparison opportunities for different projects or the same project at different periods to obtain quantitative conclusions and feedback information. This paper enhances the accurate processing of multiple information and standardization process in wind energy visual impact evaluation.

Global Review on Environmental Impacts of Onshore Wind Energy and Their Implications for Forest Ecosystems

“…Proposed measure Studies Landscape aesthetics -Repowering [23,77,91] -Creating landscape visibility zones to objectify the intensity of visual impacts [22] -Landscape evaluation models to optimize planning procedures [63] -Using underground cables…”

Global Review on Environmental Impacts of Onshore Wind Energy in the Field of Tension between Human Societies and Natural Systems

“…Proposed Measure Studies Landscape aesthetics -Repowering [24,78,92] -Creating landscape visibility zones to objectify the intensity of visual impacts [23] -Landscape evaluation models to optimize planning procedures [64] -Using underground cables…”

“…[102] -Simple layout with a smaller number of turbines; avoid clutter [24,37] -Avoiding placement in landscapes with natural character and high scenic quality [23,35] -Fitting well into a landscape [24,66] -Clean, sleek, and homogeneous appearance, choice of materials and colors [24] -Vegetation screens [24] Visual effects -Optimizing rotor blade surface smoothness, coating turbines with less reflective materials [37,113] Lighting -LED or color markings instead of xenon light, adjusting light intensity, synchronizing lights [110] Wildlife -Avoiding nonmandatory lighting to minimize attraction [59] Repowering is a vital strategy to achieve increments in energy yield with minor additional visual effects [92] as the number of turbines is minimized [24]. Landscape evaluation models allow us to compare changes in landscape quality before and after the project or between different projects [64].…”

Study on engineering and aesthetic design in shape determination of wind turbine

“…However, the visual impact on the landscape is primarily influenced by background elements positioned at distances of 15–20 km. Guan (2022) has contributed to the research by developing a model for evaluating the visual impact of wind turbines on the landscape, with the aim of optimising wind farm planning procedures.…”