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A Historical Perspective of Wind-Wildlife Challenges: How this May Affect Distributed Wind

Report

Title: A Historical Perspective of Wind-Wildlife Challenges: How this May Affect Distributed Wind
Author:
Sinclair, K.
Publication Date:
Pages:
26
Affiliation
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Sponsoring Organization:
US Department of Energy (DOE)
Technology:
Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind
Stressor:
Habitat Change
Receptor:
Birds, Bats
Language:
English

Document Access

Website:
External Link
Attachment:
Access File
Notice: This material may be protected by Copyright Law.

Citation

Sinclair, K. (2014). A Historical Perspective of Wind-Wildlife Challenges: How this May Affect Distributed Wind. Report by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Report for US Department of Energy (DOE).
@techreport{Sinclair-2014-3883,
author = {Sinclair, K},
title = {A Historical Perspective of Wind-Wildlife Challenges: How this May Affect Distributed Wind},
institution = {National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)},
year = {2014},
month = {jul},
url = {https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy14osti/61880.pdf},
keywords = {Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind, Habitat Change, Birds, Bats},
}
Export Citation to BibTex
TY - RPRT
TI - A Historical Perspective of Wind-Wildlife Challenges: How this May Affect Distributed Wind
AU - Sinclair, K
AB - Issue:Wind turbines may impact wildlife (especially birds and bats) and habitats.The discussion of wind’s impact on wildlife began in Altamont Wind Resource Area, California, in the late 1980s and early 1990s.Small and distributed projects often face challenges on this issue as well.Reducing challenges to project development accelerates deployment of appropriate wind energy (Wind Program focus area).Supporting the 20% wind energy by 2030 initiative (Advanced Energy Initiative).Accelerating wind energy capacity growth/developing domestic energy options (Energy Policy Act of 2005).Real or perceived wildlife impacts can be a challenge for development.Misinformation on potential of impacts is rampant.Impacts are species- and habitat- specific.Impacts are site-specific; micrositing is key to reducing impacts.Potential impacts at a large wind farm will likely be different than at a single, small wind turbine.Developers of distributed projects must still be aware of potential issues.
DA - 2014/07//
PY - 2014
SP - 26
PB - National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
UR - https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy14osti/61880.pdf
LA - English
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Land-Based Wind
KW - Habitat Change
KW - Birds
KW - Bats
ER -
Export Citation to RIS

Abstract

Issue:

  • Wind turbines may impact wildlife (especially birds and bats) and habitats.
  • The discussion of wind’s impact on wildlife began in Altamont Wind Resource Area, California, in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
  • Small and distributed projects often face challenges on this issue as well.
  • Reducing challenges to project development accelerates deployment of appropriate wind energy (Wind Program focus area).
  • Supporting the 20% wind energy by 2030 initiative (Advanced Energy Initiative).
  • Accelerating wind energy capacity growth/developing domestic energy options (Energy Policy Act of 2005).
  • Real or perceived wildlife impacts can be a challenge for development.
  • Misinformation on potential of impacts is rampant.
  • Impacts are species- and habitat- specific.
  • Impacts are site-specific; micrositing is key to reducing impacts.
  • Potential impacts at a large wind farm will likely be different than at a single, small wind turbine.
  • Developers of distributed projects must still be aware of potential issues.