Wind Turbines and Bats

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ray Osborne on October 10, 2008 at 2:42pm

I would think this would be possible. Since they fly by sonar a transmitter could be installed to send a
signal that would get them stay away.

Permalink Reply by Bill Tucker on October 31, 2008 at 12:39pm

Linda,
I can't stand bats. How ever I wouldn't hurt one just for grins. Bats like most other creatures (except humans) play an important part of our ecosystem (they eat bugs, and mosquitoes). Like I just responded to Ray, mammals or marcupials (sp?) are very adaptive, they will learn to "steer" clear of windmills. In the mean time I guess you could put the equivalent of "deer" whistles on the ends of the blades.

Permalink Reply by Jan on October 31, 2008 at 12:12pm

"How ever I would hurt one just for grins." Really hope this is a mis-type.

Permalink Reply by Bill Tucker on October 31, 2008 at 12:39pm

Jan,
You are absolutely correct that it is. You are the first one to tell me that. I had not even noticed it.
thank you for pointing that out. It should be fixed now.

Bill

Permalink Reply by Bill Tucker on October 10, 2008 at 3:36pm

Ray,
I imagine that the birds and the bats will adapt. Mammals do that. It is kinda like people that ride thier bike on the street against traffic with a perfectly good sidewalk not 10 feet away, and then wonder how they got run over.

Permalink Reply by Ray Osborne on October 10, 2008 at 6:49pm

Yes, and if they don't adapt they will be removed from the gene pool.

Permalink Reply by Bill Tucker on October 10, 2008 at 7:01pm

Such as the way is life, as cruel as it sounds those species that do not adapt perish. As well we.

Permalink Reply by Ray Osborne on October 23, 2008 at 11:39pm

Profound final words.

"As well we."

Permalink Reply by Jan on October 31, 2008 at 12:19pm

Agree with you Ray. We should consider that there are real, honest concerns about wind turbines in regards to wildlife, especially bats. Having grown up on a farm in PA, I understand the concerns. Our bat population is already hurting due to the overuse of pesticides and fertilizers. We need those bats as much as we need bees and butterflies. There is also the impact of the noise of the turbines disturbing wildlife. It is easy to say we should put turbines up where ever there is good wind. But would we be so cavalier about it if it was in our backyard or disturbing our favorite ball fields or playgrounds? Let's take a considered approach and look at a careful melding of technologies to provide our energy.

I'm sure we can figure out something to keep the bats away from the turbines. Also agree with Kathy that we need to work with other groups to protect bats and other wildlife while these new energy sources are evolving. We can't afford to just expect the creatures to "die or adapt" while we fix the mess WE creates.

Permalink Reply by Jan on October 31, 2008 at 12:22pm

Whomever sent this picture of bats.........thank you. It takes your breath away (no pun intended) with it's beauty. We love watching bats dipping down to the pool to get their evening drinks. Wish I had a camera that could capture it.

Permalink Reply by Karl Buesching on November 10, 2008 at 12:16am

Ray,

A wind turbine blade creates a low pressure area behind the blade helping it to move. The life-span of this low pressure is extremely short. When the blade moves the pressure returns to normal instantly. The low pressure area follows the blade around. All that's left is swirling air that quickly disapates in the wind... like the turbulance that is downwind of a tree, building, or anything else that sticks up into the breeze.

It seems reasonable to assume that it is difficult for a small critter to fly in the turbulent air behind a turbine, but since it is so high in the air any self-respecting bat or bird would EASILY regain control. It would be like one of us tripping on a crack in the sidewalk.

In order for a bat to he harmed by a wind turbine I think it would have to fly into it or somehow get duct-taped to a blade (don't try this at home).

Bats are very well adapted to catching flying insects and use these skills to avoid moving objects too. When I was 11 years old I tried to shoot bats with my wrist-rocket (high-tech slingshot). Shame on me, but hey, I was 11. The bats simply dodged the shot.

A GREATER RISK TO BATS is the turbulent air behind tractor-trailers. There has been documented cases of them getting tossed around and being hit by a vehicle or simply being slammed onto the pavement by the down-draft. Ouch!

Karl

Permalink Reply by Ray Osborne on November 19, 2008 at 11:13am

Behavioral responses of bats to operating wind turbines
February, 2008 by Jason W. Horn, Edward B. Arnett, Thomas H. Kunz
Summary:
ABSTRACT: Wind power is one of the fastest growing sectors of the energy industry. Recent studies have reported large numbers of migratory tree-roosting bats being killed at utility-scale wind power facilities, especially in the eastern United States. We used thermal infrared (TIR) cameras to assess the flight behavior of bats at wind turbines because this technology makes it possible to observe the nocturnal behavior of bats and birds independently of supplemental light sources. We conducted this study at the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center in Tucker County, West Virginia, USA, where hundreds of migratory tree bats have been found injured or dead beneath wind turbines. We recorded nightly 9-hour sessions of TIR video of operating turbines from which we assessed altitude, direction, and types of flight maneuvers of bats, birds, and insects. We observed bats actively foraging near operating turbines, rather than simply passing through turbine sites. Our results indicate that bats 1) approached both rotating and nonrotating blades, 2) followed or were trapped in blade-tip vortices, 3) investigated the various parts of the turbine with repeated fly-bys, and 4) were struck directly by rotating blades. Blade rotational speed was a significant negative predictor of collisions with turbine blades, suggesting that bats may be at higher risk of fatality on nights with low wind speeds. (JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE

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