Wind Energy and renewable energy blog

Research Shows Bats Avoid Radar near Wind Turbines

A radar beam can reduce bat activity near wind turbines by almost 40% a new study has revealed.

According to the University of Aberdeen, radar beams could be used as a precautionary measure to divert bats away from potential hazard zones. The turning blades of wind turbines could pose a risk to UK bats but researchers have discovered from practical trials that a stationary radar beam can reduce bat activity in wind farms.

Research author Paul Racey from the University of Aberdeen said that collision risk from wind turbines is a risk to bats in the US and mainland Europe – specifically to migrating bats. Little is known about the effect of more modern taller wind turbines on different bat species in the UK.

Are Bats Killed by Wind Turbines?

Bats are a protected species in the European Union and recently concerns have arisen about the potential for bat populations to be affected or harmed by wind turbines. Research work has been carried out in the US identifying migrating bat collision however we have different (non migrating) bat species in Britain so their conclusions cannot be applied.