Wind EngineeringSocietal and Environmental Factors

Module 7.1 Avian Issues

Lakshmi N. Sankarlsankar@ae.gatech.edu

Overview• Wind energy is renewable and environment friendly,

and helps reduce emissions (COx, NOx, Sulfur, Mercury,…).

• Adverse effects have also been reported. • These include– Avian fatalities– Power Quality– Noise

• This module deals with Avian issues.• Modules 7.2 deals with Power Quality.• Module 7.3 deals with wind turbine noise.

Alaska

• The next few slides are from http://www.alaska.edu/uaf/cem/ine/aetdl/conferences/2008Presentations/BirdIssueswWindTurbines.A.Stickney.pdf

Siting the Wind Turbine should address Avian Issues

Some Species are Protected

Other Studies

NWCC Study Estimates of Annual Mortalities

Netherlands: 37 fatalities per turbine per year, due to proximity to coastal regions.

NWCC Data

NREL/SR-500-26092

• A Population Study of Golden Eagles in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area:

• Population Trend Analysis 1994–1997

Conclusions and Recommendations

• Avian fatality due to collisions with wind turbines is, in general, extremely small compared to other causes of fatality.

• Siting appears to play a significant role (e.g. Netherlands, Altamont Pass in CA), however.

• Any study on wind turbine siting should include avian issues.

• Visibility a factor – painting the blade surface with contrast may help.

• Noise makers have been proposed.• Lattice structures attract perching birds. Tubular

structures less inviting.