dBEL.Energy: Early noise assessment for battery energy storage systems (BESS) and other energy infrastructure projects.
Check during the site planning stage whether battery energy storage systems, large heat pumps or CHP units can be implemented in compliance with noise protection regulations – reliably, in minutes and without any prior knowledge of acoustics.
Choosing a location with foresight – Ensure acceptance, meet requirements
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are a key technology for the energy transition. However, like many energy infrastructure facilities (e.g. local heating, large heat pumps, CHP plants), they generate noise around the clock. Large systems can reach sound power levels of over 109 dB(A) – comparable to a wheel loader in continuous operation.
The problem: Noise is often not addressed until late in the approval process. If requirements are not met, this may result in delays, costly retrofitting or project stoppages.
With the dBEL.Energy cloud application, you can ensure that noise does not slow down your project right from the planning stage.
Step 1: Site assessment in just a few minutes
dBEL.Energy operates with ready-to-use geomodels. This allows you to place your system directly in the planned environment and test it. The result: a clear evaluation of whether acoustic conflicts could arise at the chosen location – before costly planning and construction phases begin. If noise limits are exceeded, it is possible to react early and re-plan.
Step 1: Site assessment in just a few minutes
dBEL.Energy operates with ready-to-use geomodels. This allows you to place your system directly in the planned environment and test it. The result: a clear evaluation of whether acoustic conflicts could arise at the chosen location – before costly planning and construction phases begin. If noise limits are exceeded, it is possible to react early and re-plan.
Step 2: Transparent documentation for all stakeholders
Automatically generated PDF reports with clear noise maps facilitate the communication with project partners, authorities and residents. All parties involved understand the implications at a glance – trust and acceptance increase.
Step 2: Transparent documentation for all stakeholders
Automatically generated PDF reports with clear noise maps facilitate the communication with project partners, authorities and residents. All parties involved understand the implications at a glance – trust and acceptance increase.
Step 3: Smooth approval
dBEL.Energy uses established calculation methods from specialist planning – reliable, transparent and compliant with standards. For expert reports, the data acquired in dBEL.Energy can be transferred directly to the established immission control software software IMMI.
Step 3: Smooth approval
dBEL.Energy uses established calculation methods from specialist planning – reliable, transparent and compliant with standards. For expert reports, the data acquired in dBEL.Energy can be transferred directly to the established immission control softwaresoftware IMMI.
Blog post and short video: From noise screening straight to the expert report
In dBEL.Energy, project data that has already been recorded can now be used directly and with just a few clicks to request a specialist assessment or a noise immission report. This reduces the need for coordination and saves valuable time during the project.
For this, we work closely with the acoustics experts at our sister company Wölfel Engineering. Our blog post shows what the seamless process from site assessment to specialist planning looks like in practice.
Blog post and short video: From noise screening straight to the expert report
In dBEL.Energy, project data that has already been recorded can now be used directly and with just a few clicks to request a specialist assessment or a noise immission report. This reduces the need for coordination and saves valuable time during the project.
For this, we work closely with the acoustics experts at our sister company Wölfel Engineering. Our blog post shows what the seamless process from site assessment to specialist planning looks like in practice.
Planning security
right from the start
Use dBEL.Energy to ensure that all noise requirements are complied with at an early stage. Based on the forecast, you can make well-founded location decisions and avoid delays as well as costly retrofits.
Acceptance through normatively secured procedures and clear communication
dBEL.Energy uses calculation methods from specialist planning and presents the results in clear noise maps. This makes it possible to involve residents, project partners and authorities in a transparent manner and to strengthen acceptance in the long term.
Easy to use
without prior knowledge
The expert knowledge required for accurate and reliable forecasts is integrated directly into the tool. Thanks to the intuitive interface, even non-acousticians can create sound noise maps in less than five minutes.
Functions and features of dBEL.Energy:
Ready-to-use 3D geomodel
All you need to do is enter an address and you will have a complete geomodel at your disposal – including all the necessary information about the surrounding area (e.g. buildings, terrain, geometric distances, shielding and reflections).
High-quality reports at the touch of a button
The results are clearly presented in the form of PDF reports. These facilitate communication with authorities, specialist planners, residents and project partners alike.
Immediate feedback on potential conflicts (norm check)
dBEL.Energy compares the calculated values with the applicable reference values and creates a noise map. The color coding allows you to see at a glance whether and where noise-related risks pose a threat to your project.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about dBEL.Energy
dBEL.Energy is a cloud-based application for the early-stage acoustic assessment of battery storage systems (BESS) and other energy infrastructure projects.
The application enables project developers and planners to evaluate sites, compare design options, identify potential noise conflicts and document the results in noise maps and reports.
Yes. Planned installations can be placed within a 3D model of the respective environment and evaluated acoustically.
This makes it possible to identify critical distances, potential conflict areas and acoustically more favourable sites before detailed project planning begins.
Typical sound sources include battery containers, inverters, transformers, ventilation and cooling units, large-scale heat pumps, combined heat and power (CHP) units and other technical installations.
Meaningful noise predictions require suitable sound power data and well-founded assumptions regarding the relevant operating conditions.
Yes. Installation locations, system configurations and relevant operating assumptions can be varied and compared.
This makes it possible to identify at an early stage which option offers the best acoustic performance and where additional planning or optimisation may be required. The comparison of design options is one of the core applications of dBEL.Energy.
Yes. Depending on the project configuration, alternative installation locations, greater distances, shielding or adjusted operating conditions can be evaluated.
A comparison of design options shows the impact of each measure on the relevant calculation points.
For an acoustic assessment, it is not always sufficient to consider only the new installation; in some cases, the overall relevant noise situation must be taken into account.
In Germany, for example, dBEL uses compliance with the acoustic irrelevance criterion under the Technical Instructions on Noise Abatement (TA Lärm) as the default planning objective, making an assessment of existing noise exposure unnecessary. Where available, however, the respective national regulations will be considered or project-specific planning objectives can be applied. Whether and how existing external sound sources should additionally be modelled depends on the specific project and the applicable assessment requirements.
dBEL.Energy presents the results in noise maps and PDF reports. These can show which installations were evaluated, where critical areas are located, and which design options or noise reduction measures were considered.
The documentation can support discussions with project partners, specialist planners, public authorities and local residents. However, it does not automatically constitute a formal noise immission report or regulatory approval.
dBEL.Energy enables an early-stage and transparent assessment of the acoustic situation.
For larger installations, short distances to residential areas, complex existing noise exposure or specific requirements as part of the permitting process, a detailed noise immission report may additionally be required.
Yes. For further technical analysis, data from dBEL.Energy can be transferred to the immission control software IMMI.
This allows project data and design options already developed in dBEL.Energy to serve as the basis for more detailed noise predictions or the preparation of a formal noise immission report.
How reliable are the results provided by dBEL? How much does the tool cost? In which countries can dBEL be used?
Find the answers to these and many other general questions in our Platform FAQ.
Smooth approval – your next steps
With dBEL.Energy, you can ensure early site assessment. You have two options for the next phase:
Continue working by yourself: Transfer your data directly into our specialist planning software IMMI and use it to create a comprehensive, legally compliant report.
Purchase external expertise: Let our engineers at Wölfel prepare the expert reports for you – including measurements, detailed forecasts and complete approval documents.
This gives you complete flexibility: from quick screening to comprehensive support from our specialist planners.
CUSTOMERS
We’re all ears when it comes to your acoustic challenges.
My name is Janosch Blaul, COO of dBEL. I'm here to walk you through the many opportunities dBEL offers and to highlight the unique benefits it can bring to your company.
We’re all ears when it comes to your acoustic challenges.
My name is Janosch Blaul, COO of dBEL. I'm here to walk you through the many opportunities dBEL offers and to highlight the unique benefits it can bring to your company.
