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Bats and wind energy Can bat activity patterns make them vulnerable to wind turbine impacts

Bats and wind energy Can bat activity patterns make them vulnerable to wind turbine impacts. Tiffany Thwaits NMMU Prof. G. Kerley Dr. N. Mzilikazi. Energy Postgraduate Conference 2013. WIND ENERGY. 88 applications for SA. BUT HAS NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON WILDLIFE. 40. 31. Clean.

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Bats and wind energy Can bat activity patterns make them vulnerable to wind turbine impacts

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  1. Bats and wind energyCan bat activity patterns make them vulnerable to wind turbine impacts Tiffany Thwaits NMMU Prof. G. Kerley Dr. N. Mzilikazi Energy Postgraduate Conference 2013

  2. WIND ENERGY 88 applications for SA BUT HAS NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON WILDLIFE 40 31 Clean Renewable Environmentally friendly

  3. Migratory & tree roosting species at greater risk Wind turbine associated mortality greater than Natural mortality Long lived Slow reproductive rate Slow population growth Slow to recover from adverse effects SO WHAT?

  4. SO WHAT? Seed dispersal Pest control Pollination $ 22.9 billion/yr

  5. MONITORING BATS STUDY SITE BAT PASS BAT ACTIVITY TIME WEATHER HEIGHT MITIGATION & MANAGEMENT

  6. Different bat groups are active at different seasons and occupy different aerial habitats

  7. BIMODAL PEAK • activity highest 1-2hrs after sunset • 1-2hrs before sunrise • SINGLE PEAK • activity highest 1-2hrs after sunset • reduced activity in winter months

  8. WEATHER & BAT ACTIVITY Variables in global model • Month • Overnight average temperature • Overnight average wind speed • Temperature:Wind speed • Month:Temperature • Month:Wind • Month:Temperature:Wind • Final model = weak •  High degree of variation in data • Model may be dependent on other variables not quantified here

  9. Another factors involved Lang et al. 2006 Temperature Humidity Milne et al. 2005 Precipitation Wind Speed MODEL Barometric Pressure Time of night Moon Phase Insect abundance Cloud cover Season

  10. Mitigation & Management Bat activity & Monitoring Mitigation Management • Post construction monitoring (fatalities) • Feasibility of mitigation methods • Evaluations of next turbine locations Increase cut in speed of blades • 2hrs after sunset • High flying bats  at great risk (55m) • Autumn = peak season Blades spin fast so that they are more “visible” to bats Curtailment Switch off turbines during peak seasons or when wind conditions unfavourable

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