Radar to mitigate bat collisions with wind turbine blades

It’s time to think beyond varying wind turbine speeds or halting power production during low wind speeds to tackle the problem of bat fatalities. This particular species is most prone to depressurization and collision with turbine blades. However, it won’t be the same anymore if the University of Aberdeen‘s researchers succeed in implementing what they’re preaching. They suggest directing portable beam radar to mitigate their rummage around the wind blades.

Findings of the research:

Researchers Barry Nicholls and Paul Racey traced a considerable reduction in bat activity when they were subjected to an electromagnetic signal from a small radar unit with a fixed antenna. The duo noticed the potency of signal that deterred foraging activity within 30 meters of the unit. The experiment targeted the hearing faculty of bats. Varying frequency, pulse length/pulse repetition rate and power output of the signal, the scientists look forward to radar engineers and the bat biologists to go beyond their discovery.

Green intent leading to avian mortality:

While the UK government sticks to renewable energy and shows a positive intent to increase the number of wind farms, the environmentalists find themselves in a strange dilemma. Even though it’s a constructive step, wind turbines still continue to be a perpetual source of agony to the low-flying birds. As the media release reveals, two American farms recorded over 4,500 bat fatalities in six weeks in 2004. They directly crash into a turbine blade when they pass through its rotor plane. Moreover, the support structures are usually brawny enough to create havoc. In addition to these points, the tower and distribution lines add to avian mortality still more.

What makes bats more susceptible?

Since bats make use of echolocation, it’s impossible for them to collide with man-made structures. Still, if the atmospheric pressure drops they cannot detect the objects. And this becomes the reason, as the air pressure at turbine blades drops suddenly causing internal hemorrhaging.