A review of corona and aeolian noise associated with overhead transmission lines

As part of the significant changes occurring in the electricity networks in Australia, there is a need to create significant new transmission infrastructure including in areas relatively close to noise-sensitive land uses. This creates a risk that noise associated with transmissions lines, namely, corona noise and aeolian noise, may occur at a sufficiently high level to result in complaints and compliance risk for the new infrastructure. This paper reviews the mechanisms that can lead to audible corona noise and aeolian noise from transmission lines, as well as information on the nature of the noise including the level and character in the context of legislative requirements that apply in Australia. Guidance is provided on measures to assess and manage the risk associated with it during the design of the infrastructure. Case studies from recent projects are presented where corona noise and aeolian noise has occurred.