Bat monitoring studies at the Fowler Ridge Wind Energy Facility, Benton County, Indiana: April 13 - October 15, 2010
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Published source details
Good R.E., Erickson W., Merrill A., Simon S., Murray K., Bay K. & Fritchman C. (2011) Bat monitoring studies at the Fowler Ridge Wind Energy Facility, Benton County, Indiana: April 13 - October 15, 2010. Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST) report.
Published source details Good R.E., Erickson W., Merrill A., Simon S., Murray K., Bay K. & Fritchman C. (2011) Bat monitoring studies at the Fowler Ridge Wind Energy Facility, Benton County, Indiana: April 13 - October 15, 2010. Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST) report.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Increase the wind speed at which turbines become operational (‘cut-in speed’) Action Link |
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Increase the wind speed at which turbines become operational (‘cut-in speed’)
A replicated, randomized, controlled study in 2010 at a wind farm in an agricultural area of Indiana, USA (Good et al 2011; same site as Good et al 2012) found that increasing the wind speed at which turbines become operational (‘cut-in speed’) resulted in fewer bat fatalities than at conventional turbines. Average bat fatality estimates were 50% and 78% lower when cut-in speeds were increased to 5 and 6.5 m/s respectively (7 and 3 bats/turbine) compared to conventional control turbines (14 bats/turbine). Six bat species were found, although 72% of bat carcasses were eastern red bats Lasiurus borealis (see original report for data). Two treatments (cut-in speed increased to 5 or 6 m/s) and a control (conventional cut-in speed of 3.5 m/s) were each randomly assigned to a group of nine turbines. Treatments were rotated between the three turbine groups weekly in August–October 2010. Nine control turbines were left unaltered. Daily carcass searches were conducted along transects in plots (80 x 80 m) centred on each of the 36 turbines. Carcass counts were corrected for searcher efficiency and removal by scavengers.
(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)
