Skip to main content

Collision

Birds flying past a wind turbine farm
Direct contact between an animal and a device component.

Any part of a renewable energy device that moves has the potential to have a deleterious effect on both resident and migratory organisms. Collisions between animals and tidal or wind turbine blades could result in injury or death, either by direct contact with the device or by pressure changes created around the moving parts. The probability of a collision with a blade may vary based on the rotational or mechanical speed of the moving parts, the presence and density of animals in the area, the time of day, weather conditions, and the ability of animals to sense and evade the device. Carcasses found around land-based wind turbines provide an estimate of bird and bat fatalities, while it is much more difficult to estimate the effect of collisions with offshore wind turbines. To date there have been no observed collisions of marine mammals or diving seabirds with tidal turbines. Wave energy devices also have moving parts such as heave plates, flaps, and other large heavy components that could potentially cause harm, although the likelihood is thought to be extremely small. Collisions resulting in injury and death of individual animals with moving parts of devices become particularly important if the loss of those individuals affect the stability and sustainability of the population in the area.

For more information relevant to marine energy, check out the Collision Risk Short Science Summary produced by OES-Environmental.

For more information relevant to offshore wind energy, check out the Bat and Bird Interactions with Offshore Wind Energy research brief produced by SEER.

Marine and Wind Energy Environmental Documents

Tethys is a knowledge hub that contains documents on the environmental effects of wind and marine energy. The table below contains all of the documents in the Tethys Knowledge Base associated with Collision.

Total: 1637

Title Author Date Content Type Technology Stressor Receptor
Probability of Impact Workshop National Wind Coordinating Collaborative Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind, Fixed Offshore Wind Collision, Habitat Change Bats, Birds
Evaluation of Blade-Strike Models for Estimating the Biological Performance of Kaplan Turbines Deng, Z., Carlson, T., Ploskey, G. Journal Article Marine Energy, Riverine Collision Fish, Pelagic Fish
Assessing Impacts of Wind-Energy Development on Nocturnally Active Birds and Bats: A Guidance Document Kunz, T., Arnett, E., Cooper, B. Journal Article Wind Energy Collision Bats, Birds
Estimating Wind Turbine Caused Bird Mortality Smallwood, K. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds
Breeding and Overland Flight of Red- Throated Divers (Gavia stellata) at Smøla, Norway, in relation to the Smøla wind farm Halley, D., Hopshaug, P. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Avoidance, Collision Birds, Waterfowl
A Radar and Visual Study of Nocturnal Bird and Bat Migration at the Proposed Bear Review Windpark, California, Spring 2007 Sanzenbacher, P., Mabee, T., Cooper, B. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Bats, Birds
Migration of Bats Past a Remote Island Offers Clues toward the Problem of Bat Fatalities at Wind Turbines Cryan, P., Brown, A. Journal Article Wind Energy Collision Bats
Status Report on Met Tower Incidents Collinsville Montezuma Hills Wind Resource Area Solano County, California Kerlinger, P., Curry, R., Hasch, A. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds
Prairie Winds: Migrating Bats & Wind Energy in Canada Baerwald, E. Magazine Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Bats
Ecological Effects of Wind-Energy Development National Resource Council Book Chapter Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Land-Based Wind Habitat Change, Collision
Ecological Impacts of Wind Energy Development on Bats: Questions, Research Needs, and Hypotheses Kunz, T., Arnett, E., Erickson, W. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Collision, Displacement Bats
Bats and Offshore Wind Turbines Studied in Southern Scandinavia Ahlén, I., Bach, L., Baagøe, H. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Collision Bats
Burrowing Owl Mortality in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area Smallwood, K., Thelander, C., Morrison, M. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Raptors, Birds
Results of Bat and Bird Mortality Monitoring at the Expanded Buffalo Mountain Windfarm, 2005 Fiedler, J., Henry, T., Tankersley, R. Jr. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Passerines, Birds, Bats
Effects of Wind Turbines on Flight Behaviour of Wintering Common Eiders: Implications for Habitat Use and Collision Risk Larsen, J., Guillemette, M. Journal Article Wind Energy Avoidance, Collision, Displacement Birds, Seabirds
Developing Field and Analytical Methods to Assess Avian Collision Risk at Wind Farms Band, W., Madders, M., Whitfield, D. Book Chapter Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Collision, Displacement Birds
Biglow Canyon Wind Farm: Wildlife Monitoring and Mitigation Plan Portland General Electric Company, Oregon Department of Energy Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Habitat Change Bats, Birds, Raptors
Nocturnal Behavior of Raptors at Wind Energy Facilities Castle, J. Thesis Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
Guide to Preparing an EA Registration Document for Wind Power Projects in Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change (Nova Scotia Environment) Guidance Wind Energy Collision, Habitat Change, Noise Bats, Birds, Fish, Human Dimensions, Recreation & Tourism, Social & Economic Data, Visual Impacts
Interim Summary on the Effectiveness of the Winter Period Turbine Shutdown in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area Erickson, W., Strickland, D. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
Bats Avoid Radar Installations: Could Electromagnetic Fields Deter Bats from Colliding with Wind Turbines? Racey, P., Nicholls, B. Journal Article Wind Energy Avoidance, Collision, EMF Bats
Collision Risks Between Marine Renewable Energy Devices and Mammals, Fish and Diving Birds Wilson, B., Batty, R., Daunt, F. Report Marine Energy Collision Birds, Seabirds, Fish, Marine Mammals, Cetaceans
Eagle Owl and Wind Power development at Karmøy, Western Norway Rov, N., Jacobsen, K. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Displacement Birds, Raptors
Proceedings of the NWCC Wildlife Workgroup Research Planning Meeting VI Schwartz, S. Conference Paper Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind, Fixed Offshore Wind Collision, Habitat Change Bats, Birds
Variation in Bat and Bird Fatalities at Wind Energy Facilities: Assessing the Effects of Rotor Size and Tower Height Barclay, R., Baerwald, E., Gruver, J. Journal Article Wind Energy Collision Bats, Birds
Renewable Energy Resources and Wildlife: Impacts and Opportunities Arnett, E., Strickland, M., Morrison, M. Conference Paper Wind Energy Collision, Habitat Change Bats, Birds
Collision Mortalities at Horseshoe Shoal of Bird Species of Special Concern Hatch, J., Brault, S. Report Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Avoidance, Collision, Displacement Birds, Seabirds, Shorebirds, Waterfowl
Impact of Wind Turbines on Birds in Zeebrugge (Belgium): Significant Effect on Breeding Tern Colony Due to Collisions Everaert, J., Stienen, E. Journal Article Wind Energy Collision Seabirds, Birds
A Preliminary Evaluation on the Use of Dogs to Recover Bat Fatalities at Wind Energy Facilities Arnett, E. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Bats
Collision risks between marine renewable energy devices and mammals, fish and diving birds: Report to the Scottish Executive Wilson, B., Batty, R., Daunt, F. Report Marine Energy, Tidal, Wave Attraction, Collision Birds, Seabirds, Fish, Marine Mammals
Nocturnal Bird Migration Over an Appalachian Ridge at a Proposed Wind Power Project Mabee, T., Cooper, B., Plissner, J. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds
Methods Used During Gross Necropsy to Determine Watercraft-Related Mortality in the Florida Manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) Lightsey, J., Rommel, S., Costidis, A. Journal Article Collision Marine Mammals
Preliminary Field Test Results of an Acoustic Deterrent with the Potential to Reduce Bat Mortality from Wind Turbines Szewczak, J., Arnett, E. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Bats
Patterns of Pre-Construction Bat Activity at a Proposed Wind Facility in South-Central Pennsylvania Arnett, E., Hayes, J., Huso, M. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Habitat Change Bats
A Review of the Impacts of Wind Farms on Hen Harriers Circus cyaneus and an Estimation of Collision Avoidance Rates Whitfield, D., Madders, M. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Avoidance, Collision, Displacement Birds, Raptors
Wind Farm Related Mortality Among Avian Migrants - A Remote Sensing Study and Model Analysis Desholm, M. Thesis Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Collision Birds
The Effects of Wind Turbines on Antipredator Behavior in California Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) Rabin, L., Coss, R., Owings, D. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Noise, Collision, Avoidance Terrestrial Mammals, Raptors, Ecosystem Processes, Birds
Patterns of Pre-Construction Bat Activity Determined Using Acoustic Monitoring at a Proposed Wind Facility in South-Central Wisconsin Redell, D., Arnett, E., Hayes, J. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Habitat Change Bats
Breeding bird habitat use and turbine collisions of birds and bats located at a wind farm in Oklahoma mixed-grass prairie Piorkowski, M. Thesis Wind Energy Collision Bats, Birds
Bird Movements and Behaviors in the Gulf Coast Region: Relation to Potential Wind-Energy Developments Morrison, M. Report Wind Energy Habitat Change, Collision Birds

Displaying 1481 - 1520 of 1637 results