Wind Power and Wildlife Can Co-Exist

Despite the fact that our production of non-renewable energy has for many years adversely affected our environment and wildlife (the London smog caused by factory chimney smoke in the 1950’s killed thousands of birds as well as people!), the complaints about the evils of wind power to birds and bats continues to be voiced.  It seems to go over the heads of some Fossil Fuel Fans that those of us who want, embrace, invest in, work in and support, renewable energies such as wind, are likely to have green credentials or leanings and  therefore be as if not more concerned than they about any adverse effects of wind turbines on wildlife. But instead of saying “all turbines are evil and should be resisted”, we try to look at ways of limiting or even avoiding, any negative impacts on wildlife around wind farms.

 

I can give you examples. There is no doubt that there have been bird and bat deaths around US wind farms. It might be that these are a small proportion of those having their habitats destroyed or having their numbers reduced by buildings, pesticides, fossil fuel power plants and other human-created menaces (including shooting for sport). However the US (and other countries) are taking many steps to limit the effects of wind farms on wildlife. Here are seven examples that you can quote next time someone accuses us wind power lovers of being “irresponsible” or uninterested in the effects of wind power on wildlife:

1. In late November, the Obama administration fines a renewable energy company $1 million for illegally killing birds- the first time a wind company has been prosecuted under the US Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A warning shot over the bows of companies that put profit before environment.

2. Better siting of wind farms. Undertaking surveys of wildlife and the possible impact of turbines on them before a go-ahead is given.

3. Researchers are looking at putting mini radars atop leading edge wind turbines that can detect large birds such as eagles, or flocks of birds or bats,as they approach the wind farm. A signal is then triggered and sent to all the turbines in the farm to slow down or cease turning until the wildlife has passed. GPS tracking may also be feasible.

4. Aural Scarecrows. The wind farm is surrounded by speakers and generators capable of creating a loud noise or ultrasonic frequencies to scare away birds and bats.

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5. Not allowing turbine blades to start turning until the wind speed reaches a medium speed (5.5 metres per second). Bats don’t fly when wind speeds are that high and so would be safe from flying into revolving turbine blades. Because little power is generated at lower speeds, the loss of electricity and revenue can be offset against lower turbine maintenance costs and part-replacement.

6. Painting turbines a certain colour. In the UK it has been found that bees tend to avoid certain colours, such as grey and therefore birds wouldn’t be attracted into a wind farm area if the turbines were painted grey. Research has also shown that many birds appear to have an aversion to the colour purple (the colour, not the film!)

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7. New wind turbine designs. Some research indicates that non-bladed or soft-bladed turbines might be the way to go in in the future. Such turbines would have far less effect on wildlife. We just need to keep working on their efficiency and practicality.

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