Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) acoustic barriers protecting the Supernode BESS facility in Brisbane, Queensland.

BESS Noise Control: The Ultimate Guide

A technical guide to acoustic barriers for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), covering noise sources, acoustic performance, barrier specification, noise wall materials, engineering and construction.

BESS FUNDAMENTALS
Understanding Battery Energy Storage Systems
How BESS noise travels

ACOUSTIC DESIGN
BESS noise assessment
Structural design considerations

NOISE WALL DELIVERY
BESS noise wall solutions

REFERENCE
FAQs

Understanding Battery Energy Storage Systems

A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) stores electrical energy in rechargeable batteries so it can be used or supplied to the electricity network when required.

Utility-scale BESS facilities can contain hundreds of battery enclosures together with electrical and mechanical infrastructure such as Power Conversion Systems (PCS), inverters, transformers, switchgear and cooling equipment.

Much of this supporting equipment generates operational noise, making noise control an important consideration where BESS facilities are located near sensitive receivers.

Aerial view of the Brendale Battery Energy Storage System with acoustic barrier infrastructure.
BESS noise sources

Inverters / Power Conversion Systems (PCS)

Power electronics and associated cooling systems can generate continuous operational noise across a range of frequencies.

Transformers

Typically generate a characteristic low-frequency hum and may exhibit distinct tonal characteristics. Cooling fans and pumps can contribute additional noise.

Battery cooling systems

Fans, chillers and HVAC equipment can contribute significantly to overall site noise, with levels varying according to operating and cooling demand.

Switchgear and electrical equipment

Can contribute mechanical, electrical and ventilation noise, with acoustic characteristics dependent on the equipment installed.

Auxiliary equipment

Pumps, ventilation systems and other supporting plant can contribute additional noise sources across the BESS site.

How BESS noise travels

Once operational noise is generated, its impact is influenced by how sound travels across and beyond the site.

Key factors include:

  • Distance – sound levels generally reduce as distance from the source increases.
  • Terrain and topography – changes in ground level can influence sound paths between equipment and surrounding areas.
  • Reflection – hard surfaces can redirect sound and create additional propagation paths.
  • Diffraction – sound can bend over and around obstacles, including acoustic barriers.
  • Ground effects – the surface between the source and receiver can influence sound propagation.
  • Weather conditions – wind and atmospheric conditions can affect how sound travels, particularly over longer distances.
Concept illustration of engineered BESS acoustic barriers surrounding a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with integrated acoustic infrastructure.

BESS noise assessment

The noise criteria applicable to a BESS project provide the benchmarks against which predicted and operational noise is assessed. These can depend on the project location, sensitive receivers, existing acoustic environment, planning and environmental requirements, operating conditions, and characteristics such as tonality or low-frequency noise.

Acoustic modelling predicts how noise from the specified BESS equipment will behave across the site and at sensitive receivers. It considers the acoustic characteristics and operating conditions of the equipment together with its location and orientation, site layout, terrain, ground conditions, surrounding structures and applicable noise criteria.

The acoustic consultant uses the modelling results to determine whether noise mitigation is required. Where an acoustic barrier is specified, the assessment informs requirements such as its location, height, extent and acoustic performance.

BESS acoustic barrier designed for noise compliance at the Supernode Battery Energy Storage System.

Structural design considerations

BESS noise walls are substantial structures and need to be engineered for the structural and site conditions specific to each project. Barrier height, large surface areas and exposed locations can result in significant loads that need to be transferred safely through the structure and foundations.

Key structural design considerations include:

  • Wind loading – including regional wind speed, terrain category, topography, shielding and the height of the barrier.
  • Earthquake loading – where applicable, seismic design parameters are incorporated into the structural assessment.
  • Structure and footing design – posts, panels, connections and foundations are engineered for the applicable design loads and load combinations.
  • Geotechnical conditions – footing design responds to the site’s soil conditions and available geotechnical information.
  • Engineered fill – where barriers are constructed over filled areas, its effect on foundation design needs to be considered.
  • Foundation type – piled or other foundation systems can be selected according to structural loads, ground conditions and site constraints.
BESS noise wall structural design criteria covering wind loads, earthquake loads and footing design

BESS noise wall solutions

Wallmark translates the specified acoustic requirements into an engineered BESS noise wall solution. A key requirement is whether the barrier needs reflective or absorptive acoustic performance.

Reflective noise walls interrupt the direct sound path between BESS equipment and sensitive receivers, with a proportion of sound energy reflected from the wall surface. Wallmark’s reflective solutions include steel, concrete and Hebel noise walls.

Absorptive noise walls also interrupt the direct sound path but incorporate sound-absorbing materials to reduce reflected sound. This can be important on BESS sites where equipment, barriers and other hard surfaces may create additional reflected sound paths.

Wallmark undertakes the detailed design, engineering, manufacture and construction of the specified noise wall through to certification.

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Supernode Battery Energy Storage System hybrid acoustic barrier under construction in Brisbane.

Frequently asked questions

A Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) stores electrical energy in rechargeable batteries for later use or supply to the electricity network. Utility-scale BESS facilities typically include battery enclosures, inverters or Power Conversion Systems (PCS), transformers, cooling systems and associated electrical infrastructure.

Common sources include inverters and PCS units, transformers, HVAC and battery cooling systems, switchgear and auxiliary equipment. Each source can have different sound levels and frequency characteristics.

A receiver is a location where noise from a BESS is predicted, measured or assessed. A sensitive receiver is a location where noise impacts require particular consideration, such as a residence, school, hospital or other noise-sensitive land use. Acoustic modelling predicts noise levels at identified sensitive receivers to assess the project against the applicable noise criteria.

Sound propagates outward from BESS equipment. Distance, terrain, topography, ground conditions, surrounding surfaces and atmospheric conditions can influence how that sound travels across and beyond the site.

Acoustic barriers may be specified where noise mitigation is required to achieve the project’s acoustic criteria. The barrier interrupts the sound path between BESS equipment and sensitive receivers.

An acoustic barrier obstructs the direct sound path between the source and receiver. Its effectiveness is influenced by factors including its position, height, length, construction and acoustic performance.

An acoustic barrier is a broader term for a noise-control measure specified to interrupt or manage the transmission of sound between a source and receiver. A noise wall is a physical wall system used as one type of acoustic barrier. For a BESS project, the acoustic consultant specifies the acoustic requirements, while the noise wall is the engineered structure designed and constructed to meet those requirements.

A reflective barrier interrupts the direct sound path while reflecting a proportion of incident sound energy from its surface. An absorptive barrier also interrupts the direct sound path but incorporates absorptive material to reduce the amount of sound reflected.

Absorptive performance may be specified where reflected sound needs to be controlled, including situations where barriers, equipment or other hard surfaces can create additional reflected sound paths.

Yes. Reflective barriers can be used where the acoustic assessment determines that they will provide the required noise-control performance.

The project’s acoustic consultant typically establishes the required acoustic performance through site-specific acoustic assessment and modelling.

Barrier height is established through acoustic design and is influenced by the location and height of noise sources, barrier position, site geometry, terrain and the relationship between the source and receiver.

Rw, or Weighted Sound Reduction Index, is a single-number rating used to describe the airborne sound insulation performance of a building element or barrier system. It relates to the barrier’s ability to limit sound transmission through it.

NRC, or Noise Reduction Coefficient, is a single-number rating derived from the sound absorption performance of a material at specified frequencies. It is relevant where absorptive acoustic performance is required.

BESS acoustic barriers can be constructed using materials including steel and concrete. Where absorptive performance is required, purpose-designed absorptive barrier systems can be used.

BESS projects may specify non-combustible materials as part of their project-specific fire, safety or design requirements. Where both non-combustibility and sound absorption are required, the barrier system needs to satisfy both requirements.

Barrier design should be considered early enough to coordinate acoustic requirements with site layout, civil design, underground services, foundations, access and the broader construction programme.

Construction planning needs to consider barrier dimensions, foundations, ground conditions, underground services, drainage, access, cranage and piling requirements, interfaces with other trades and construction sequencing.

Smart Wall Solutions for Commercial and Civil projects

Wallmark is at the forefront of providing elegant and cost-effective acoustic solutions for commercial, civil, and industrial settings. Tailored for professionals like architects, builders, developers, and business owners, Wallmark’s innovative SMART soundproof noise walls blend functionality with finesse. This system not only promises significant noise reduction, cost savings, and time efficiency but does so with an eye for contemporary design.

With a track record of quality installations, Wallmark’s solutions are designed to meet the dual demands of aesthetics and performance, ensuring your project stands out for all the right reasons.

Find the right noise wall solution

Please note we do not supply or construct residential projects.

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