Long-term acoustic monitoring and modeling for improved noise management in electrical substations

In recent decades, Brazil has expanded its power grid, enabling energy from northern hydroelectric projects to reach the south. This requires extensive transmission lines and large substations. A recently built substation operating at 500/440/13.8 kV spans an area of 240,000 m² in what was a predominantly rural area. Despite compliance with noise regulations verified via measurement campaigns conducted by environmental agencies, numerous complaints related to noise disturbance highlight potential inadequacies in current standards, such as insufficient sampling points or short recording durations. This study presents the framework for long-term noise monitoring, where comprehensive acoustic measurements will be conducted under various load and weather conditions across numerous points within a 1-km radius from the substation. Integrating these extensive datasets into computational simulations will enable the creation of an accurate and detailed noise map of the substation and its surroundings. By combining experimental field data with advanced computational modeling, this project provides a robust foundation for environmental noise management around electrical substations, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and minimizing community impact.