In 2021, three research projects began exploring how bats interact and behave around wind turbines to support more effective fatality reduction strategies at operating wind farms. All three advanced the collective understanding of bat-wind behavior using thermal imaging and acoustics.
EPRI hosted a webinar featuring research led by Stantec, Bowman Consulting, and EPRI with participation from other leading research organizations. The presenters discussed the results of three projects investigating bat behavior and potential attraction hypotheses at multiple wind farms in the United States.
- Stantec: Quantifying bat presence, interactions with wind turbines, and risk of turbine-related impacts using ultrasonic acoustic detectors and thermal video cameras. Contributors: Seta Aghababian (Stantec), Caroline Byrne (Stantec), Sydney Edwards (Stantec), Brogan Morton (WIS), and Trevor Peterson (Stantec)
- Bowman Consulting: Bat focal behavior at wind turbines in Texas. Contributors: Sara Weaver (Bowman), Brogan Morton (WIS)
- EPRI: No evidence that bats are attracted to the wakes of wind turbines at an Iowa wind facility. Contributors: Donald Solick (EPRI), Aaron Corcoran (UCCS), Michael Whitby (BCI), Noah Myrent (EPRI), Praanjal Nasery (EPRI), Corey Markfort (UI), Tyler Bell (UI), Jesse Leckband (MidAmerican), and Christian Newman (EPRI)