A major review of current mitigation strategies to prevent bird and bat collisions with wind turbines concludes that future wildlife-safe wind energy will depend on smarter, combined approaches that balance biodiversity protection with renewable energy production.
Researchers from Murdoch University's Harry Butler Institute (HBI) reviewed 52 mitigation strategies or tools designed to protect wildlife and found fewer than half had independent testing data.
Author Professor Trish Fleming said the research brought together engineering, technology and ecology to provide the first comprehensive analysis of the effectiveness of different wind turbine collision mitigation methods.
"We found technologies designed to prevent bird and bat collisions were under-tested and there is no 'silver bullet solution' as such. Future wind farm developments will need combined, site-specific strategies to maximise protection for local wildlife," she said.
Researchers from HBI and Murdoch University's schools of Environmental and Conservation Sciences , and Energy and Engineering , all contributed to the review.
"Current technologies, including radar, cameras, acoustic sensors, curtailment and deterrents each have strengths and limitations," Professor Fleming said.
"What we have found is that wind farms need combined, site-specific strategies to be truly effective. In Australia, we still need a lot more data to understand which of these strategies is best suited to our landscapes and wildlife species."
The findings – published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews – are expected to provide important insights required by governments and industry for the development of Bird & Bat Management Plans across Australian and global wind farms.
Professor Lazaro Roque-Albelo, Chair of Responsible Mining and Biodiversity Stewardship at HBI, said the research – was an excellent example of the broader value of collaboration between academia and industry to help solve complex biodiversity and environmental management challenges.
"Industry-supported research can generate the scientific evidence needed to inform policy, legislation, guidance materials and ultimately, better environmental outcomes," he said.
"This helps create a stronger science-based approach to environmental approvals and operational compliance, which then cascades through to better assessments and decision-making by industry practitioners, regulators and consultants."
