Variation in bat and bird fatalities at wind energy facilities: assessing the effects of rotor size and tower height

2007 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M.R. Barclay ◽  
E.F. Baerwald ◽  
J.C. Gruver
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
North American ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Energy Industry ◽  
Migrating Birds ◽  
Tower Height

Wind energy is a rapidly growing sector of the alternative energy industry in North America, and larger, more productive turbines are being installed. However, there are concerns regarding bird and bat fatalities at wind turbines. To assess the influence of turbine size on bird and bat fatalities, we analyzed data from North American wind energy facilities. Diameter of the turbine rotor did not influence the rate of bird or bat fatality. The height of the turbine tower had no effect on bird fatalities per turbine, but bat fatalities increased exponentially with tower height. This suggests that migrating bats fly at lower altitudes than nocturnally migrating birds and that newer, larger turbines are reaching that airspace. Minimizing tower height may help minimize bat fatalities. In addition, while replacing older, smaller turbines with fewer larger ones may reduce bird fatalities per megawatt, it may result in increased numbers of bat fatalities.

scholarly journals Wind Energy Meteorology: Insight into Wind Properties in the Turbine-Rotor Layer of the Atmosphere from High-Resolution Doppler Lidar

2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (6) ◽  
pp. 883-902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M. Banta ◽  
Yelena L. Pichugina ◽  
Neil D. Kelley ◽  
R. Michael Hardesty ◽  
W. Alan Brewer
Keyword(s):  
Wind Energy ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Energy Industry ◽  
Doppler Lidar ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Surface Measurements ◽  
Wind Measurements ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
Insight Into

Addressing the need for high-quality wind information aloft in the layer occupied by turbine rotors (~30–150 m above ground level) is one of many significant challenges facing the wind energy industry. Without wind measurements at heights within the rotor sweep of the turbines, characteristics of the flow in this layer are unknown for wind energy and modeling purposes. Since flow in this layer is often decoupled from the surface, near-surface measurements are prone to errant extrapolation to these heights, and the behavior of the near-surface winds may not reflect that of the upper-level flow.

Techno-Economic Assessment of Utilizing Wind Energy for Hydrogen Production Through Electrolysis

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Ziazi ◽  
Kasra Mohammadi ◽  
Navid Goudarzi
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Production ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Combustion Engine ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
North East

Hydrogen as a clean alternative energy carrier for the future is required to be produced through environmentally friendly approaches. Use of renewables such as wind energy for hydrogen production is an appealing way to securely sustain the worldwide trade energy systems. In this approach, wind turbines provide the electricity required for the electrolysis process to split the water into hydrogen and oxygen. The generated hydrogen can then be stored and utilized later for electricity generation via either a fuel cell or an internal combustion engine that turn a generator. In this study, techno-economic evaluation of hydrogen production by electrolysis using wind power investigated in a windy location, named Binaloud, located in north-east of Iran. Development of different large scale wind turbines with different rated capacity is evaluated in all selected locations. Moreover, different capacities of electrolytic for large scale hydrogen production is evaluated. Hydrogen production through wind energy can reduce the usage of unsustainable, financially unstable, and polluting fossil fuels that are becoming a major issue in large cities of Iran.

scholarly journals Estimating Origins of Three Species of Neotropical Migrant Songbirds at a Gulf Coast Stopover Site: Combining Stable Isotope and Gis Tools

The Condor ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 256-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith A. Hobson ◽  
Steve Van Wilgenburg ◽  
Leonard I. Wassenaar ◽  
Frank Moore ◽  
Jeffrey Farrington
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
North American ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Stopover Site ◽  
Avian Migration ◽  
The North ◽  
Gis Tools ◽  
Migrating Birds ◽  
Wood Thrushes

AbstractMeasurement of stable-hydrogen isotopes (δD) in feathers of migrating birds can provide information on where feathers were grown in North America, at least to an approximate band of latitude. This approach has greatly increased our ability to investigate aspects of avian migration and stopover ecology, since origins of unmarked individuals at migration stopover sites can be estimated for the first time. However, few studies have explored the power of combining isotope measurements with geographic information system (GIS) methods. We measured δD values in feathers of hatching-year (HY) Swainson's Thrushes (Catharus ustulatus; n  =  60), Wood Thrushes (Hylocichla mustelina; n  =  113), and Gray Catbirds (Dumetella carolinensis; n  =  158) at Ft. Morgan Peninsula, Alabama (30°10′N, 88°00′W), a migration stopover site along the Gulf coast. By applying an elevation-corrected hydrogen isotope basemap for birds in North America, we derived a GIS surface depicting expected feather δD values across the continent. We then used GIS to constrain the possible origins of the sampled populations by considering only values falling within the North American breeding ranges of the species. We depicted likely origins of migrating birds by the 50% and 75% tolerance limits of the data. Our GIS analysis indicated that our captured populations represented much-reduced regions of possible origin based on the North American breeding distributions. Gradients in abundance data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) allowed us to further narrow possible origins within isotopic boundaries for Wood Thrushes and Gray Catbirds. This exercise provided a means by which priority regions and habitats could be assessed at large continental scales based on actual productivity. We suggest the combination of isotopic and GIS tools provides a powerful means to derive conservation priorities and to investigate key factors involved in the ecology of avian migration and stopover.

Circulation Control Applied to Wind Turbines

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
David McGrain ◽  
Gerald M. Angle ◽  
Jay P. Wilhelm ◽  
Emily D. Pertl ◽  
James E. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Circulation Control ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines ◽  
The Impact

The recent rise in fuel costs and global warming concerns have re-invigorated the search for alternative energy sources. Harnessing energy from the wind is a logical alternative; however the cost and efficiency of current wind turbines is a limiting factor. The use of an augmented Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) may become the superior choice to the more common Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs) that are usually associated with the harvesting of wind energy. HAWTs operate on the same principles as large airplane propellers, while VAWTs operate on lift and/or drag principles like an airplane wing or a sail on a boat. VAWTs are currently being investigated for use with circulation control to increase their potential power output. In this paper, two topics will be presented, a comparison between VAWTs and HAWTs for rotor diameter versus key turbine aspects and the impact of VAWTs on environmental concerns, such as bat and bird populations. The Center for Industrial Research Applications (CIRA) at West Virginia University (WVU) is currently developing a concept utilizing circulation control to increase the lift to drag ratio, maximizing the beneficial forces on the VAWT blade, allowing for improved wind energy production. For the comparison between VAWTs and HAWTs, there are currently 14 companies with a total of 34 wind turbines variations representing VAWTs and 11 companies with a total of 40 wind turbines representing HAWTs. Trend studies of VAWT and HAWT diameters to cut-in-speed, rated velocity, max velocity, power output (<100 kW), and power output (≥100 kW) were created to show the potential of VAWTs. A growing concern with wind energy is the impact on bat and bird populations. It is currently believed that VAWTs reduce the impact of wind energy by altering the interaction with the wind. If these benefits can be proven, then not only are VAWTs potentially more economical, but even more eco-friendly.

scholarly journals Oceanic Records of North American Bats and Implications for Offshore Wind Energy Development in the United States

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald Solick ◽  
Christian Newman
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
North America ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
North American ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Offshore Wind ◽  
Offshore Wind Energy ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Terrestrial Environment

Offshore wind energy is a growing industry in the United States, and renewable energy from offshore wind is estimated to double the country’s total electricity generation. There is growing concern that land-based wind development in North America is negatively impacting bat populations, primarily long-distance migrating bats, but the impacts to bats from offshore wind energy is unknown. Bats are associated with the terrestrial environment, but have been observed over the ocean. In this review, we synthesize historic and contemporary accounts of bats observed and acoustically recorded offshore over North American waters to ascertain the spatial and temporal distribution of bats flying offshore. We integrate these records with studies of offshore bats in Europe and of bat behavior at land-based wind energy studies to examine how offshore wind development could impact North American bat populations. We find that most offshore bat records are of long-distance migrating bats and records occur during autumn migration, the period of highest fatality rates for long-distance migrating bats at land-based wind facilities in North America. We summarize evidence that bats may be attracted to offshore turbines for roosting and foraging opportunities, potentially increasing their risk of collision, but that higher wind speeds offshore can potentially reduce the amount of time that bats are exposed to risk. We identify knowledge gaps and hypothesize that a combination of mitigation strategies may be the most effective approach for minimizing impacts to bats and maximizing offshore energy production.

scholarly journals Flight Altitudes of Raptors in Southern Africa Highlight Vulnerability of Threatened Species to Wind Turbines

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. W. McClure ◽  
Leah Dunn ◽  
Jennifer D. McCabe ◽  
Brian W. Rolek ◽  
André Botha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Power ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Threatened Species ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Energy Infrastructure ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Wind Power Development ◽  
Wind Turbine Rotor

Energy infrastructure, particularly for wind power, is rapidly expanding in Africa, creating the potential for conflict with at-risk wildlife populations. Raptor populations are especially susceptible to negative impacts of fatalities from wind energy because individuals tend to be long-lived and reproduce slowly. A major determinant of risk of collision between flying birds and wind turbines is the altitude above ground at which a bird flies. We examine 18,710 observations of flying raptors recorded in southern Africa and we evaluate, for 49 species, the frequency with which they were observed to fly at the general height of a wind turbine rotor-swept zone (50–150 m). Threatened species, especially vultures, were more likely to be observed at turbine height than were other species, suggesting that these raptors are most likely to be affected by wind power development across southern Africa. Our results highlight that threatened raptor species, particularly vultures, might be especially impacted by expanded wind energy infrastructure across southern Africa.

Social Movements and Industry Development: The Environmental Movement's Impact on the Wind Energy Industry

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 315-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ion Vasi
Keyword(s):  
Social Movements ◽  
Wind Energy ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Energy Industry ◽  
Environmental Groups ◽  
Political Opportunity ◽  
Global Industry ◽  
Wind Potential ◽  
Industry Creation

This article builds a theoretical framework that highlights the role of social movements in industry emergence and growth. Using insights from the literature on social movement outcomes and industry creation, the article shows that the environmental movement has shaped the development of the wind energy industry at both the national and subnational levels. During the past two decades, wind power has transformed from a small, "alternative" energy industry into a multibillion-dollar global industry that produces electricity for millions of people. Quantitative analysis shows that the wind energy industry grows the fastest in countries and regions that have not only a high density of environmental groups but also good wind potential or a favorable political opportunity structure. Case studies deepen this picture by examining how environmental organizations contribute to the development of the wind energy industry. also like to thank Rory McVeigh and three anonymous reviewers for Mobilization for their suggestions.

SIMULASI NUMERIK PADA DIFFUSER AUGMENTED WIND TURBINES DENGAN ROTOR GANDA KONTRA ROTASI

KURVATEK ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20
Author(s):  
Yosua Heru Irawan ◽  
M Agung Bramantya
Keyword(s):  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Simulation Method ◽  
Turbine Rotor ◽  
Mechanical Power ◽  
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Rotation Direction ◽  
Turbine Model

Wind energy is one form of renewable energy in Indonesia and its potential is very large to be utilized. Wind energy can be converted into electrical energy using wind turbines. Horizontal axis wind turbine will be the subject of this study, where the wind turbine model will be given additional diffuser. In addition, this wind turbine model will also be developed from a single rotor wind turbine into a double rotor wind turbine with opposite rotation direction or counter rotation. This research uses numerical simulation method using ANSYS Fluent software to know wind turbine performance. Simulations were performed at wind speeds of 3 m/s, with the ratio of the length and diameter of the inlet diffuser 0.5; 1; 1.5; 2; and 2.5. Based on the simulation results, it can be seen that the greater the ratio of inlet length and diameter, the mechanical power generated by the wind turbine rotor is greater. Double rotor wind turbine with a length ratio and 2.5 inlet diameter produces the highest performance on the front rotor and rotor rear. The greater the ratio of the length and diameter of the inlet, the mechanical power generated by the front rotor and the rotor inside the diffuser also increases.

The lessons learned from the development of the wind energy industry that might be applied to marine industry renewables

2012 ◽  
Vol 370 (1959) ◽  
pp. 451-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Garrad
Keyword(s):  
Wind Energy ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Energy Industry ◽  
Engineering Development ◽  
Early Experiences ◽  
Marine Industry

This paper considers the early experiences of the development of wind turbines and the wind energy industry in order to try and identify lessons learned that could now be applied to the developing marine renewables technology and industry. It considers both political and commercial incentives and engineering development.

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