The accompanying research into nature conservation is an important part of the research work at the WINSENT wind energy test field in the Swabian Alb. In the ‘NatForWINSENT - nature conservation research at the wind energy test field’ project, we are investigating the behaviour of birds and bats in the vicinity of wind turbines. A radar device is used to record flight movements and bird migration and laser range finders are used to record the flight paths of birds of prey. Red kites equipped with GPS transmitters also provide precise flight paths.
Microphones were attached to the wind measurement masts and the towers and nacelles of the wind turbines at various heights to detect bats. Insects are also recorded at the same locations using photo traps. Stereo thermal imaging cameras also provide a three-dimensional image of the flight behaviour of bats in the area of the rotor.
The investigations form the basis for the development of innovative, in particular technology-based avoidance measures to improve the protection of birds and bats during the operation of wind turbines. The effectiveness of these avoidance measures will be tested on site using the extensive technical possibilities at Stöttener Berg.
The project is being carried out together with experienced researchers from renowned institutions in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) and the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) are funding the project.
In phase 1 of the project, the birds, bats and insects in the test field area were recorded prior to the construction and commissioning of the research wind turbines. By combining the data with meteorological measurement data from the test field in particular, comprehensive findings on the behaviour of birds and bats have already been collected. The results are summarised in the final report of the project, which has been published in the BfN publication series (link to download below). In phase 2, the investigations will now be continued on and with the research wind turbines.
The primary goal of bird research at the wind energy test field is to develop and test avoidance measures that are able to better protect endangered birds of prey from collisions. These include technical systems for detecting birds, so-called anti-collision systems. In order to investigate their suitability for use in more detail, the behaviour of birds of prey is being studied in detail at the test site using radar, telemetry and laser range finders. As the red kite is the main focus in Germany, several red kites living at the test site have already been fitted with GPS transmitters. Their flight movements are now continuously recorded and correlated with meteorological parameters such as wind speed, precipitation and visibility. The project also involves testing the reliability of anti-collision systems already available on the market.
At the test site, bat activity is continuously measured at various heights - not only at the wind turbines themselves, but also at the four wind measuring masts - and compared with meteorological data such as temperature, wind speed, wind direction and precipitation. A 3D thermal imaging camera system also records the flight paths of bats on the rotors in order to analyse possible causes of collision in detail. As a result, new avoidance measures are to be developed or existing ones, such as shutdown algorithms in particular, optimised.
To date, there is little knowledge about the attraction or deterrence effect of wind turbines on insects, although a direct correlation between insect activity and the threat to bats at wind turbines is suspected, for example. At the test site, insect activity is determined using special photo traps and radar measurements in order to investigate the dependence of the spatial and temporal distribution of insect occurrence on meteorological parameters.
