Collision

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: 1585

Searches title and abstract.
Title Author Date Content Type Technology Stressor Receptor
Avian Mortality at Rotor Swept Area Equivalents, Altamont Pass and Montezuma Hills, California Howell, J. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds
Using a Collision Model to Design Safer Wind Turbine Rotors for Birds Tucker, V. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Raptors, Birds
Collision Course: The Hazards of Lighted Structures and Windows to Migrating Birds Ogden, L. Report Attraction, Avoidance, Collision, Lighting Birds
A Continued Examination of Avian Mortality in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area Orloff, S., Flannery, A. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
Bird Casualties Caused by a Wind Energy Project in an Estuary Musters, C., Noordervliet, M., terKeurs, W. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Collision Waterfowl, Shorebirds, Seabirds, Birds
Proceedings of the National Avian - Wind Power Planning Meeting II LGL Ltd Conference Paper Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds
A Pilot Golden Eagle Population Study in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area California Predatory Bird Research Group Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Displacement Birds, Raptors
Proceedings of the National Avian - Wind Power Planning Meeting LGL Ltd Conference Paper Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds
A Study of the Risk of Collision with Power Lines by Waterbirds in Winter at Shotton Steel Works, North Wales Balmer, D., Henderson, I., Clark, N. Report Wind Energy Collision, Avoidance Waterfowl, Birds
Whirly Birds Linn, A. Magazine Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Raptors, Birds
Monitoring of Seasonal Bird Activity and Mortality on Unit 2 at the Buffalo Ridge Windplant, Minnesota Higgins, K., Dieter, C., Usgaard, R. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Habitat Change, Collision Birds, Bats
The Birds of Blyth Harbour Still, D., Little, B., Lawrence, S. Conference Paper Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Habitat Change Birds
Macrotidal Estuaries: A Region of Collision Between Migratory Marine Animals and Tidal Power Development Dadswell, M., Rulifson, R. Journal Article Marine Energy, Tidal Collision Fish, Demersal Fish, Pelagic Fish, Marine Mammals
The Effects of Aero-Generators on Moorland Bird Populations in the Orkney Islands, Scotland Meek, E., Ribbands, J., Christer, W. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Displacement, Collision Seabirds, Birds
Wind Power and the Local Environment - No Free Lunches Plowden, B. Conference Paper Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Habitat Change Bats, Birds
Assessment of Avian Use and Mortality Related to Wind Turbine Operations, Altamont Pass, Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, California, September 1988 through August 1989, Final Report Howell, J., Didonato, J. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
A Review of Studies Related to the Effects of Propeller-Type Turbine Passage on Fish Early Life Stages Cada, G. Journal Article Marine Energy, Riverine Collision Fish
Vogels en windturbines (Birds and windturbines) Winkelman, J. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Habitat Change Birds
Cape Blanco Wind Farm Feasibility Study Technical Report No. 11: Terrestrial Ecology Portland General Electric Company Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds
Environmental Aspects of Large-Scale Wind-Power Systems in the UK Robson, A. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Noise Birds, Human Dimensions, Visual Impacts
Bird Movements and Collision Mortality at a Large Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Byrne, S. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Waterfowl, Raptors, Passerines, Birds
The possible impact of wind power generators on flying birds Mead, C. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds
Environmental Effects of Small Wind Energy Conversion Systems (SWECS) Lawrence, K., Strojan, C. Book Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Collision Birds
Comparison of Simulation Models Used in Assessing the Effects of Power-Plant-Induced Mortality on Fish Populations Swartzman, G., Deriso, R., Cowan, C. Conference Paper Collision Fish
Human skin as an elastic membrane Danielson, D. Journal Article Collision
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