While wind turbines are a large benefit to generating alternative energy, they can be detrimental to animals of flight. Bat fatalities are being recorded at record levels in wind fields, disrupting bat populations that are often slow to recover. Researchers are now looking for solutions so bats and wind turbines can harmoniously exist.
Alternating the wind speed of turbines has been suggested as a viable alternative since bats do not fly during certain times of day, and during certain weather conditions. Researchers have suggested alternative speeds for the turbines to spin during certain times and weather conditions, to avoid spinning during peak bat hours. Tests have shown a 44-93% reduction in bat fatalities based on alternative turbine schedules.
Interested in teaching your students more about bats? Check out SSR's Vol 41 DVD, episode: Ecology - Bats: Creatures of the Night.
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