Read more for highlights of a few of the AWWI products and activities that are helping advance wind energy’s viability and reduce its wildlife impacts.
Eagle Conservation and Mitigation
Eagles are a priority focus for AWWI. AWWI has in place a comprehensive research framework and program and is developing a targeted Eagle Conservation and Mitigation Toolbox. This year, each of the three tools identified for the Toolbox will enter an important stage. The first tool, a model that quantifies the number of eagles saved by voluntary lead poisoning abatement programs, is now in the field verification and implementation phase. The second tool, a model to quantify the number of eagles saved by reducing fatal collisions with vehicles, is undergoing peer review for publication. AWWI is designing a field study to evaluate key parameters of the vehicle collision model. The third model, to enhance habitat, will be submitted for peer review later this year.
With this Conservation and Mitigation Toolbox, AWWI is expanding the options available to quantifiably and verifiably offset unavoidable eagle take at wind energy facilities. Currently the only such option available is to retrofit power poles.
Bats and Wind Energy
The objective of AWWI’s Bat Initiative is to better understand the interaction of sensitive bat species with wind turbines, and to advance technological and operational solutions that minimize and mitigate the risk to bats from operating wind turbines.
This year, AWWI will determine the relative feasibility and utility of a species-focused or geographic-focused approach to modeling bat fatality risk. The findings could inform whether and when curtailment or minimization measures are needed to reduce impacts. AWWI will also leverage the new capabilities offered by the American Wind Wildlife Information Center to develop models that predict high bat fatality events at individual wind energy facilities.
This research will help identify and refine solutions and technologies that minimize risk to bats while maximizing cost-effectiveness for wind energy facilities.
Technological Innovation: Detection and Deterrence Technologies
As AWWI expands its role as a catalyst for technological innovation, we are also focusing on serving as a hub for innovation in detection and deterrence technologies.
This year, as part of AWWI’s new Technology Verification Program to provide clear and scientifically verifiable evaluations of deterrent and detection technologies, AWWI plans to complete the first year of field evaluation of a golden eagle detection and deterrent system and a second eagle detection technology. We are also discussing a similar verification project for bats.
In the fall of 2015, AWWI released an update of our Wind & Wildlife Technology Catalog™ with the latest information from manufacturers and vendors on their detection and deterrent systems, with a new round of updates planned for the fall of 2016. The Catalog is available to AWWI Partners and Friends.
Information Exchange: Wind Wildlife Research Meeting 2016 and More
AWWI plays a core and vibrant convening, facilitating, and information exchange role for the rapidly-growing community of wind-wildlife stakeholders.
This year, to facilitate the exchange of the latest in wind wildlife research, AWWI will host the 11th Wind Wildlife Research Meeting. The WWRM is an internationally recognized forum for researchers and wind-wildlife stakeholders, and is held every other year. This year’s meeting will continue to deepen stakeholder involvement and participation from not only the U.S. but also Canada and Europe.
In addition, throughout the year, AWWI will reach out through webinars, conferences, and events to inform and engage an expanding wind-wildlife stakeholder network. Look for AWWI at the following events in 2016:
- March 14-18: WMI North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference (Pittsburgh, PA)
- March 22-23: AWEA Wind Project Siting Seminar (Charleston, SC)
- May 23-26: AWEA WINDPOWER (New Orleans, LA)
- September 11-14: AFWA Annual Meeting (Philadelphia, PA)
- October 15-20: The Wildlife Society Annual Conference (Raleigh, NC)
- October 16-20: Raptor Research Foundation Conference (Cape May, NJ)
- November 15-17: AWEA Fall Symposium (San Antonio, TX)
- November 29 – December 2: Wind Wildlife Research Meeting (Broomfield, CO)