Altering turbine speed reduces bat mortality at wind-energy facilities

Author: Arnett, Edward; Huso, Manuela; Schirmacher, Michael; and Hayes, John | Wildlife

Translate: FROM English | TO English

Wind-turbine operations are associated with bat mortality worldwide; minimizing these fatalities is critically important to both bat conservation and public acceptance of wind-energy development. We tested the effectiveness of raising wind-turbine cut-in speed – defined as the lowest wind speed at which turbines generate power to the utility system, thereby reducing turbine operation during periods of low wind speeds – to decrease bat mortality at the Casselman Wind Project in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, over a 2-year period. Observed bat mortality at fully operational turbines was, on average, 5.4 and 3.6 times greater than mortality associated with curtailed (ie non-operating) turbines in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Relatively small changes to wind-turbine operation resulted in nightly reductions in bat mortality, ranging from 44% to 93%, with marginal annual power loss (< 1% of total annual output). Our findings suggest that increasing turbine cut-in speeds at wind facilities in areas of conservation concern during times when active bats may be at particular risk from turbines could mitigate this detrimental aspect of wind-energy generation. Edward B Arnett
Michael R Schirmacher
Bat Conservation International, Austin, Texas
Manuela MP Huso
College of Forestry, Oregon State University, Corvallis
John P Hayes
Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 2011; 9(4): 209–214, doi:10.1890/100103

Download original document: “Altering turbine speed reduces bat mortality at wind-energy facilities011 Altering turbine speed”

This material is the work of the author(s) indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this material resides with the author(s). As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Queries e-mail.

Wind Watch relies entirely
on User Contributions

(via Stripe)

(via Paypal)

Share:

[ Short URLs: https://wind-watch.org/doc/?p=3962 | http://wndfo.net/D3962 ]