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Study aims to protect bats from offshore wind turbines

By: Chloe Emanuel 26/06/2024 Vattenfall

General Windfarms

Vattenfall is spearheading a large-scale study to understand the movement of bats over the sea and mitigate collision risks with offshore wind turbines. The Kattegat West Baltic Bats Project, initiated in 2022, spans from Skagen in Denmark to the German Baltic Sea coast.

Bats, contrary to popular belief, often fly long distances over the sea for migration and feeding. Species like the Nathusius’ pipistrelle migrate from Finland to Great Britain, traversing areas with offshore wind farms in the Baltic Sea, Danish straits, and North Sea, increasing the risk of collisions with turbine blades.

Environmental Specialist Bjarke Laubek explains that Vattenfall coordinated efforts with various consultants and organizations to standardize methods and conduct simultaneous surveys. This comprehensive approach aims to collect extensive data on bat populations at sea, their behaviour, and their interactions with wind turbines.

Bats, being long-lived and slow to reproduce, are particularly vulnerable to mortality. They are listed by the EU as requiring special protection. Vattenfall's project aims to balance renewable energy generation with effective bat conservation measures. Studies have shown that stopping wind turbines during certain periods can significantly reduce bat collisions onshore, but less is known about offshore behavior.

The study utilizes ultrasound detectors on buoys, masts, lighthouses, and wind turbines to record bat calls and echolocation sounds, helping researchers understand bat activities at sea. Vattenfall has also installed high-altitude sensors at the Kriegers Flak wind farm to compare bat activity at different heights.

In addition to curtailment strategies, Vattenfall is exploring innovative methods like ultrasound jamming, which deters bats by interfering with their echolocation. Thermal camera systems are also being tested in the Netherlands to monitor bat movements and collision rates around turbines.

Meteorological data is crucial in the analysis, as it helps determine bat activity and guide operational adjustments. Preliminary findings indicate that bats are absent during half of the required shutdown period at the Danish Kriegers Flak wind farm, suggesting that more targeted shutdowns could be implemented.

Vattenfall's commitment to biodiversity is evident through its strategic investment in research and knowledge gathering. The project's results, expected later this year and in early 2025, will provide valuable insights for balancing offshore wind energy development with bat conservation, ensuring that renewable energy projects are both effective and environmentally responsible.

For more information about offshore wind farm projects across the globe, click here.

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Study aims to protect bats from offshore wind turbines

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