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Refining a Selectively Perceptible Wind Turbine System for Preventing Bat Fatalities
Paul Cryana, Marcos Gorresenb,c, David Daltond
a Fort Collins Science Center, United States Geological Survey (USGS), Fort Collins, COb Hawai‘i Cooperative Studies Unit, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Hilo, HI;
c Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, USGS, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, HI;d Bat Research and Consulting, Tucson, AZ
Disclaimer: This information is preliminary and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information is provided on the condition that neither the U.S. Geological Survey nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.
Webinar presentation:New Research on Wind Operational Impact Minimization Technologies: DOE-Funded
Technology Development & Innovation Projects1 October 2018
Bethany Strawe, Elise DeGeorgee
e National Renewable Energy Laboratory, National Wind Technology Center, Boulder, CO
Bat Fatalities at Wind Turbines Mostly Involve Species that Avoid People
photos: J.S. Altenbach*Al Hicks
n = 8,889
Hoary bat Eastern red bat
Silver‐haired bat
Tri‐colored bat*
Little brown bat
Mexicanfree‐tailed bat
Big brown bat
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
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Photo: J. Scott Altenbach
Consistent Characteristics of Bats Dying Most
Often at Turbines: Rely on Trees & Avoid Developed Areas
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
Most Wind Turbines in Dark PlacesMost Wind Turbines in Dark Places
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Bats Have Sensitive, Blurry VisionBats Have Sensitive, Blurry Vision
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
Do Bats Visually Confuse Turbines
for Trees?
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SeasonalSporadic throughout nightLeeward approachesArrive high in airspaceFrequent close passes (seeking behavior)Investigate a few seconds then move on…
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
Goal: Change How Bats See Turbines at Night from Far Away
Visually confused by silhouettes of structures similar to trees, where they can consistently find…
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
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Rather than Near Deterrence, We are Aiming for Distant Dissuasion
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
Selectively Perceptible Wind Turbine System
Change the way wind turbines appear to distant bats by flickering extremely dim, ultraviolet (UV) light onto surfaces of the monopole, nacelle, and blades. Passive cue sent to perception’s edge.
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Why Very Dim Ultraviolet (UV) Light?
Easy to transmit through airOutside spectral range of humansOutside sensitivity range of birdsUnlikely to attract insects from afar
A potential bat‐specific communication channel
Gorresen et al. 2015 Ultraviolet vision may be widespread in bats. Acta Chiropterologica 17:193-198.
Gorresen et al. 2015 Dim ultraviolet light as a means of deterring activity by the Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus).Endangered Species Research 28:249-257
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
Distant Signaling Method
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Distant Signaling Method
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
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Dim Ultraviolet lightBat-specific communication channel
“This is Scary”
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
U.S. Department of Energy National Renewable Energy Lab
National Wind Technology Center
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The Plan
• Experimentally UV-illuminate 2 turbines at NWTC every other night for 15 months with UV
• Monitor nighttime bat, bird, and insect activity with thermal surveillance cameras
• Compare video activity measures, behaviors, and strikes between lit and unlit conditions
• Report findings in autumn and winter of 2019
May June July August September October November December January February March April May June July August September October November December January
Test old lights
Install cameras
2018 2019
FY19 1st Quarter FY19 2nd Quarter FY19 3rd Quarter FY19 4th Quarter FY20 1st Quarter FY20 2nd QuarterFY18 4th QuarterFY18 3rd Quarter
Operate UV lights and record nightly video imagery
18‐month study window
Build new lights Complete analysis and report
Ready contract and test (study) plan
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
Plenty of Bat Activity at NWTC
Goldenberg et al. (In prep) Seasonal behaviors of bats at a wind turbine may explain continental fatality trends.
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
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Plenty of Behaviors at NWTC
Goldenberg et al. (In prep) Seasonal behaviors of bats at a wind turbine may explain continental fatality trends.
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
Is it Difficult, Safe, Effective?bat activity & fatality monitored by tower‐mounted thermal
cameras
UV illuminators
UV illuminating tower, nacelle, and blade
surfaces
bat detection
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
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Video Monitoring
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
Simple, Reliable Video Setup
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Two time‐linked camerasAlternate viewsTarget height above camerasFacilitate target identificationSignals will correspond to time‐linked acoustic detectors
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
Automated Video AnalysisAutomated Video Analysis
New (Free) ApproachComingSoon?
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
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Camera, Lights, Action…Designed and Built Prototypes
• BRC engineering team designed & built• Averaged $540 per light (12 per turbine)• $6,480 per turbine
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
June 2018 Test
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August 2018 Installation
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
Installed 20 meters (65 feet) up on Two 80-m-tall Towers by Mid August 2018
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
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Do They Work?
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
Dark UV Imaging
Modified CanonDSLR camera
Photometrics prototype UV camera
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June 2018 Test
Modified Canon Rebel DSLR camera
Photometrics prototype UV camera
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
September 2018 Tests
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September 2018 Tests
Both turbines from ~2.5 km (1.6 mi) away, 2‐minute exposure UV‐mod Canon Rebel
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
September 2018 Tests
Northern turbine from 1 km (0.6 mi) away, Photometrics camera 300 millisecond exposure
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September 2018 Tests
Southern turbine from ~1 km (0.6 mi) away, Photometrics camera 300 millisecond exposure
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
Next Steps• Continue running cameras and lights to
confirm proper operation and correct implementation of UV treatments
• Continue nightly video monitoring and process video within days of recording
• Finish new video processing code by early spring of 2019 in time for next activity season
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.
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Acknowledgments• Department of Energy (DOE)
– Jocelyn Brown-Saracino– Raphael Tisch– Maggie Yancey– Peter Luft– Mary Solis– Tomiko Williams-Edwards
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory, National Wind Technology Center (NWTC)– Technology Development &
Innovation (TD&I) Program– Jeroen van Dam– Simon Thao– Dave Swartz– Jason Roadman– Lee Jay Fingersh– Scott Wilde– Jim Ringwall– Don Young– Tom Ryon– John Yarbrough
• Bat Research and Consulting– Sandy Wolf– David Price– Marsh McCoy– Bob Maturo
• Photometrics– Robert LaBelle
• USGS– Robb Diehl– Patty Stevens– Judy O’Dwyer– Gordon Tribble
• University of Hawaii at Hilo– Sharon Ziegler-Chong
• Bat Conservation International– Michael Schirmacher
• American Wind Wildlife Institute
Preliminary Information‐Subject to Revision.