Nicholas Moctezuma, Brian Okey, and Sudeshna Ghosh recently published a paper titled "Assessing Mitigation Strategies for Reducing Bat Fatalities at Wind Energy Facilities: A Comparative Analysis" in the Pennsylvania Geographer. Their work suggests that a reduction in turbine cut-in speeds works the best to limit bat fatalities.
Full Abstract
The growth of utility-scale wind energy in the US in recent decades has been fueled by environmental priorities and new technologies. However, the resulting transformation of habitats and more direct, often fatal, interactions between avian wildlife and turbines have led to mitigation strategies to reduce conflicts involving birds and (more recently) bats.
This paper focuses on approaches to reduce bat mortality at “wind farms.” Current literature is reviewed in order to compare different strategies being implemented or researched. Our findings suggest greater potential for reductions in bat fatalities when turbine cut-in speeds are employed than when ultrasonic or other deterrent methods are used. The limited number of articles addressing outcomes under different operational regimes underscores the need for further research on both the methods and relative costs of mitigation strategies.
Moctezuma, Nicholas A., Brian W. Okey, and Sudeshna Ghosh. “Assessing Mitigation Strategies for Reducing Bat Fatalities at Wind Energy Facilities: A Comparative Analysis.” Pennsylvania Geographer 59.1 (2021):22-32.