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Creating safe habitat for batsin the vicinity of wind farms
The optimum protection of bats in the vicinity of wind turbines
Bat Protection System
Specialist in asset management, project management and wind development
Topwind is a pragmatic and service orientated company with a clear
mission: maximum effi ciency for wind turbine owners. We distinguish
ourselves by successfully combining theory with practical experience. We
off er a total solution and are focused on collaboration, customization,
safety and a completely satisfi ed customer and we are proud of it.
We are involved in development, realization and exploitation of wind
farms. With Topwind Project Support and Asset Management, your wind
farm is under the control of an independent organization backed by
many years of experience with an extensive network of professionals.
Innovative as we are - we have a solution for every challenge. We
have developed diff erent products with the goal of optimizing project
realization and improving exploitation. The Bat Protection System (BPS) is
a good example of our successful eff orts.
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The mission of Topwind
“The collaboration with Topwind is a
example of professionalism. Even when
problems with the turbine manufacturer
arose in the development phase. Topwind
had a custom-made solution for
every unexpected problem.”
Adri Mathijssen, technical support, Mega-Windy
TopwindBat Protection
System
Fulfi ll the possibilitiesIn The Netherlands and Europe the renewable energy sector faces big challenges. There are still many
locations to utilize the wind for green energy but there are environmental concerns to consider. As
developer, energy supplier and government you see plenty of possibilities.
More than a business caseTo develop a wind farm you need more than a just a proper business case based on profi t margins. It is
important to consider the ecological welfare of the area surrounding the site. A professionally prepared
environmental impact assessment gives you the necessary insight into the eff ect of your plans.
Avoid delaysIt is your responsibility to immediately gain the support and trust of the stakeholders including the
landowners, the concerned public and the government. Every interest is asking for a good tradeoff or
responsible actions. How you plan to address the protection of bats at the planned wind farm location is
a perfect example of responsible site management . With the Topwind BPS you are protecting bats and
preventing objections and expensive delays.
For a successful development the Topwind BPS can support you in many ways including:
• Strengthening the green character of your project.
• Creating a proper foundation for your planned development.
• Prevent unnecessary delays by objections.
• Contribute to a successful wind project.
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The mission of Topwind Better change for a successfulwind farm development.
According to ecologists: A Topwind BPS is more eff ective than periodic shutdowns based on predictions
”As ecologists we see great potential in a system that prevents bat/wind turbine collisions. The BPS switches off when bats are near wind turbines. This is more eff ective than the current measures taken where turbines are switched off based on predictions and forecasts. It has been a pleasure for my colleagues and myself to contribute our knowledge to this system. This is a valuable step forward for both the protection of bats and
the generation of renewable energy.”
Martijn Boonman, Bureau Waardenburg
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Protected speciesBats are a protected species. The protection of the
bats is regulated in the European wild fl ora and
fauna law and the international CITES-convention.
Adhering to the laws can be the basis for an
exemption in the permit stage of development.
Vulnerable animalsIn the Benelux there are 17 diff erent species of bats
and in The Netherlands the pipistrelle is the most
common species. Bats are vulnerable animals living
in groups where population growth is limited by the
slow birth rate. A disruption of their habitats can
have a big impact on the population.
» Nearby wind turbines the rotating blades and the air pressure drop are the major threats for bats.
Protecting bats helps nature stay in balanceBats are a vital part of the environment. Within
a couple of hours each night a bat consumes
hundreds of insects – especially mosquitoes.
Irresponsibly causing their death or destruction
of their habitat would create an imbalance in the
ecosystem.
What you need: an exemptionIf bats are present in the area you want to develop
a wind farm, there are laws and proper procedures
that have to be followed to protect the species and
their habitat. By including the Topwind BPS in your
plans, you can prove to the government agencies
that you are proactively working to protect the bats
from mid-fl ight collisions. If you prove that you are
proactively protecting the species from harm, the
governing agencies are at liberty to grant you an
exemption.
Activity vs. wind speed:
Rugged pipistrelle (Pipistrellus Nathussii)
Common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus)
Common noctule (Nyctalus noctula)
Wind speed m/s
Activity
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10| | | | | | | | | | |
Using a BPS creates the opportunityfor an exemption
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Activity
Normal activity
Increased activity
Hibernation
Janu
ary
Febr
uary
Mar
ch
Apr
il
May
June July
Aug
ust
Sept
embe
r
Oct
ober
Nov
embe
r
Dec
embe
r
Using a BPS creates the opportunityfor an exemption
The BPS: a protective responsewhen bats are detected
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TopwindBat Protection
System
Behavior of batsWhen wind turbines are present it is crucial
to protect bats. Therefore understanding the
characteristics, behavior and habit of bats is
fundamentally important. Each species of bats
has diff erent characteristics that can also vary
due to diff erent environments. To make sure
we understand each scenario we have used the
expertise of ecologists and bat experts to develop
our Bat Protection System. A couple of general
characteristics of bats were used in the base model
and were built upon to develop the BPS including:
• Bats use high frequency sounds (sonar) between
10 kHz and 120 kHz.
• They are mostly active from April till October;
between autumn and spring they are in
hibernation.
• They don’t like wind speeds higher than 5 m/s and
temperatures below 13 degrees Celsius.
• They seek high densities of fl ying insects.
• And are active during and after sunset, but their
activity decrease sharply after midnight.
The BPS stops the turbine blades when bats are detectedThe BPS protects bats near wind turbines. The
technology of the BPS is complex, but the principle
and the procedure is simple:
1. The BPS detects bats based on the sounds they
emit. The noise of the wind turbine does not
interfere with the detection.
2. The wind turbine switches off when bats are
detected.
3. The wind turbine is started automatically if the
BPS does not detect a bat for a predetermined
period of time, or if there is a climatic change
where bats are known to avoid.
4. The detection of bats is logged for periodic
reporting and analysis.
Extensive reportAll the measurement data (such as presence,
activities, bat species, downtime and weather
conditions) will be logged and are “real-time”
available with a remote connection. By using the BPS
you always have the required reports.
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Down time mainly during off -peakThe best case scenario for bats is to turn off the
turbines when they are active. But reducing the
time the turbines are idle is your best way to
maximize effi ciencies.
Research has shown that with wind speeds lower
than 5 meters per second, bats are more likely to
be hunting as shown in the diagram on the previous
page (page 4). At that low of wind speed, the
expected production is already reduced but the BPS
will still switch off the turbine if bats are detected in
the area. The BPS will switch on the turbine when
the bats are no longer detected.
Minimum loss of production, maximum protection.The BPS combines the best of two worlds. The
system will switch off the turbine when bats are
present to signifi cantly reduce the danger of
collisions with the blades. And, while the BPS senses
that no bats are within the region, the turbines
are free to produce power. Reduced collisions, and
reduced production loss – the best solution.
Minimum standstill,maximum effi ciency
6 7
Topwind Bat Protection System
Monitoring
Protection
Start/stop ReportMonitoring Reporting
Service &
MaintenanceRegistration
Weather
data
Park
Protocol
Minimum standstill,maximum effi ciency
TOPWIND CONSULTANCY B.V.Hanzeweg 35c
3771 NG, Barneveld
The Netherlands
P +31 342 0745 462
www.topwind.nl