Iberdrola Renovables stick new lawn BWEC second year shows a significant reduction in mortality Bat

Another year of pioneering research to investigate the interaction between bats and wind turbine Casselman Wind Power Project shows that a growing reduction in the whirlwind of speed, the wind speed necessary to start spinning the turbines and generate electricity during off-peak wind late summer and early fall to reduce bat mortality up to 93%. The study is published online November 1, 2010 Frontiers in Ecology and Environment Journal of the Ecological Society of America.

Iberdrola Renewables, the owner of the Casselman wind farm in partnership with an independent conservation group, Bat Conservation International (BCI), carry out the pioneering study on the project southwestern Pennsylvania wind energy.

From late July to mid-October in 2008 and again in 2009, Iberdrola Renovables, working with BCI researchers, conducted a controlled experiment in which some wind turbines at the Casselman project were arrested during the night the wind speed relative low, as recommended by the IWC in the late summer and early fall. This represents the first U.S. - Improving the reports based on the effect of stopping wind turbines on reducing bat deaths -. "We are pleased to confirm the second year of study found in the first year that increased the speed limit in the turbines during periods of summer and autumn migration significantly reduces the risk of bat mortality is a valuable component of the ecosystem, while prove that the measure is a cost effective way to manage the adaptation of facilities, "said Stu Webster, director of wind to Iberdrola Renovables.

Although it was crucial for this study, reduce wind turbine operations is not likely to be the solution to reduce the impact on bats in all circumstances or places, but it may be a solution practice at some sites northeastern United States where the death of bats has been a high concern, said company officials. This study is part of a series of collaborations with BWEC by plants Iberdrola Renewables five wind. The results of 2008 and 2009 of Casselman study has been reviewed and approved by the Scientific Advisory Committee BWEC and oversight committees, the latter comprising representatives of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Renewable Energy Laboratory, before they are published.