Victorian Transmission Plan and Guidelines: impact on dairy farms #AUS

Joseph and Anna Conheady’s submission to the Government’s (Stage 1) Renewable Energy public submission process. Some background info: In order to grow their dairy farming enterprise Joseph and Anna need worker accommodation. But the Victorian Labor Government and the Wind Industry have ganged up on all Victorian Farmers to stifle the expansion of farms. In 2021, the Vic Govt introduced a planning provision (Victoria Planning Provisions 35.07-6 Decision guidelines (13/10/2021 VC212)) to prevent farmers from building worker accommodation within 1km . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/victorian-transmission-plan-and-guidelines-impact-on-dairy-farms/

Offshore Wind Turbine Visibility and Visual Impact Threshold Distances #GBR #USA

[Abstract] Potential visual impact on coastal lands has emerged as a major concern in the development of offshore wind facilities in the United States and Europe. Optimal siting of offshore facilities requires accurate knowledge of the relationship between distance and the visibility of wind turbines. Past assessments of offshore wind turbine visibility were based on smaller turbines and facilities in use at the time and underestimate visibility for current projects, which use more and larger larger turbines. This study is . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/offshore-wind-turbine-visibility-and-visual-impact-threshold-distances/

Flight behaviour of Red Kites within their breeding area in relation to local weather variables #DEU

Abstract 1. Birds and bats are prone to collisions with wind turbines. To reduce the number of bat collisions, weather variables are commonly used to shut down wind turbines when a certain constellation of weather variables occurs. Such a general approach might also be interesting to mitigate raptor collisions. Studies on the relationship between flight behaviour and weather variables are needed. 2. To investigate the flight behaviour of raptors within their breeding area in relation to local weather variables, we . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/flight-behaviour-of-red-kites-within-their-breeding-area-in-relation-to-local-weather-variables/

Strategies for Mitigating Impacts to Aerofauna from Offshore Wind Energy Development: Available Evidence and Data Gaps

Abstract— Offshore wind energy (OSW) development, while a key strategy for reducing global reliance on fossil fuels, nevertheless has environmental effects that should be mitigated. We reviewed the scientific literature and gray literature to identify approaches for mitigating (e.g., avoiding, minimizing, or compensating for) the effects of OSW development on birds and bats (aerofauna). The review included studies from other industries where relevant, including terrestrial wind energy and the offshore oil and gas industry. Of a total of 212 mitigation . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/strategies-for-mitigating-impacts-to-aerofauna-from-offshore-wind-energy-development-available-evidence-and-data-gaps/

Monopile-induced turbulence and sediment redistribution form visible wakes in offshore wind farms

[abstract] Offshore wind farms are becoming an increasingly common feature in the marine environment as a renewable energy source. There is a growing body of evidence on the effects of wind farms on the seabed and its organisms. However, an important and understudied aspect of site development is the interaction of turbine foundations on the surrounding marine environment. Structures exert significant disturbance on tides, waves and currents; these are visible as optically-distinct, elongate wakes at the sea surface with elevated . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/monopile-induced-turbulence-and-sediment-redistribution-form-visible-wakes-in-offshore-wind-farms/

Toward solving the global green–green dilemma between wind energy production and bat conservation

Abstract— Wind energy production is growing rapidly worldwide in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, wind energy production is not environmentally neutral. Negative impacts on volant animals, such as bats, include fatalities at turbines and habitat loss due to land-use change and displacement. Siting turbines away from ecologically sensitive areas and implementing measures to reduce fatalities are critical to protecting bat populations. Restricting turbine operations during periods of high bat activity is the most effective form of mitigation . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/toward-solving-the-global-green-green-dilemma-between-wind-energy-production-and-bat-conservation/

Strategies for Mitigating Impacts to Aerofauna from Offshore Wind Energy Development: Available Evidence and Data Gaps

Abstract— Offshore wind energy (OSW) development, while a key strategy for reducing global reliance on fossil fuels, nevertheless has environmental effects that should be mitigated. We reviewed the scientific literature and gray literature to identify approaches for mitigating (e.g., avoiding, minimizing, or compensating for) the effects of OSW development on birds and bats (aerofauna). The review included studies from other industries where relevant, including terrestrial wind energy and the offshore oil and gas industry. Of a total of 212 mitigation . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/strategies-for-mitigating-impacts-to-aerofauna-from-offshore-wind-energy-development-available-evidence-and-data-gaps/

Monopile-induced turbulence and sediment redistribution form visible wakes in offshore wind farms

[abstract] Offshore wind farms are becoming an increasingly common feature in the marine environment as a renewable energy source. There is a growing body of evidence on the effects of wind farms on the seabed and its organisms. However, an important and understudied aspect of site development is the interaction of turbine foundations on the surrounding marine environment. Structures exert significant disturbance on tides, waves and currents; these are visible as optically-distinct, elongate wakes at the sea surface with elevated . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/monopile-induced-turbulence-and-sediment-redistribution-form-visible-wakes-in-offshore-wind-farms/

Toward solving the global green–green dilemma between wind energy production and bat conservation

Abstract— Wind energy production is growing rapidly worldwide in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, wind energy production is not environmentally neutral. Negative impacts on volant animals, such as bats, include fatalities at turbines and habitat loss due to land-use change and displacement. Siting turbines away from ecologically sensitive areas and implementing measures to reduce fatalities are critical to protecting bat populations. Restricting turbine operations during periods of high bat activity is the most effective form of mitigation . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/toward-solving-the-global-green-green-dilemma-between-wind-energy-production-and-bat-conservation/

Avian collisions at two wind farms in Tasmania, Australia: taxonomic and ecological characteristics of colliders versus non-colliders #AUS

Data obtained during carcass and bird utilisation surveys conducted over an approximately 10- year period at two wind farms in northwest Tasmania (Bluff Point Wind Farm [BPWF] and Studland Bay Wind Farm [SBWF]) were compared. Of the species present onsite only 21% at the BPWF and 18% at the SBWF were found to collide with turbines, indicating that presence onsite was a poor indicator of collision risk. Furthermore, there was a poor relationship between abundance onsite and collisions with turbines. . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/avian-collisions-at-two-wind-farms-in-tasmania-australia-taxonomic-and-ecological-characteristics-of-colliders-versus-non-colliders/

Wind farms threaten southern Africa’s cliff-nesting vultures

[Abstract] Wind farms have been shown to cause bird mortality in many studies. Proposals for the development of wind farms in Lesotho, which is core habitat for small and declining populations of the regionally Endangered Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis and regionally and globally Vulnerable southern African endemic Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres is therefore of concern. We use satellite tracking data to demonstrate that southern African Bearded Vultures spend the majority of their time foraging in landscape zones typically chosen . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/wind-farms-threaten-southern-africas-cliff-nesting-vultures/

Size comparisons of wind turbines operating and proposed in Alberta

Size comparisons of wind turbines operating and proposed in Alberta - from Wind Concerns


https://www.wind-watch.org/pix/displayimage.php?pid=1031

A synthetic analysis of post-construction displacement and attraction of marine birds at offshore wind energy installations

[ABSTRACT] Changes in the distribution of marine birds in their at-sea foraging, resting, and migratory habitats are frequently observed following construction of offshore wind energy installations. However, the presence and strength of both displacement and attraction effects have been shown to vary widely among species and locations. An understanding of the underlying factors driving both occurrence and detection of distributional changes is required to inform wind farm design and develop best practices for environmental impact assessment, monitoring, and mitigation. Drawing . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/a-synthetic-analysis-of-post-construction-displacement-and-attraction-of-marine-birds-at-offshore-wind-energy-installations/

Pile of discarded wind turbine blades in Minnesota

Discarded wind turbine blades are piled up along almost the entire west border of Darcy Richardson’s property in Grand Meadow, Minnesota - photo by Renée Jones Schneider, Star Tribune, August 7, 2024


https://www.wind-watch.org/pix/displayimage.php?pid=1030

Flight behaviour of Red Kites within their breeding area in relation to local weather variables #DEU

Abstract 1. Birds and bats are prone to collisions with wind turbines. To reduce the number of bat collisions, weather variables are commonly used to shut down wind turbines when a certain constellation of weather variables occurs. Such a general approach might also be interesting to mitigate raptor collisions. Studies on the relationship between flight behaviour and weather variables are needed. 2. To investigate the flight behaviour of raptors within their breeding area in relation to local weather variables, we . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/flight-behaviour-of-red-kites-within-their-breeding-area-in-relation-to-local-weather-variables/

Flight behaviour of Red Kites within their breeding area in relation to local weather variables #DEU

Abstract 1. Birds and bats are prone to collisions with wind turbines. To reduce the number of bat collisions, weather variables are commonly used to shut down wind turbines when a certain constellation of weather variables occurs. Such a general approach might also be interesting to mitigate raptor collisions. Studies on the relationship between flight behaviour and weather variables are needed. 2. To investigate the flight behaviour of raptors within their breeding area in relation to local weather variables, we . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/flight-behaviour-of-red-kites-within-their-breeding-area-in-relation-to-local-weather-variables/

Avian collisions at two wind farms in Tasmania, Australia: taxonomic and ecological characteristics of colliders versus non-colliders #AUS

Data obtained during carcass and bird utilisation surveys conducted over an approximately 10- year period at two wind farms in northwest Tasmania (Bluff Point Wind Farm [BPWF] and Studland Bay Wind Farm [SBWF]) were compared. Of the species present onsite only 21% at the BPWF and 18% at the SBWF were found to collide with turbines, indicating that presence onsite was a poor indicator of collision risk. Furthermore, there was a poor relationship between abundance onsite and collisions with turbines. . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/avian-collisions-at-two-wind-farms-in-tasmania-australia-taxonomic-and-ecological-characteristics-of-colliders-versus-non-colliders/

Wind farms threaten southern Africa’s cliff-nesting vultures

[Abstract] Wind farms have been shown to cause bird mortality in many studies. Proposals for the development of wind farms in Lesotho, which is core habitat for small and declining populations of the regionally Endangered Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis and regionally and globally Vulnerable southern African endemic Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres is therefore of concern. We use satellite tracking data to demonstrate that southern African Bearded Vultures spend the majority of their time foraging in landscape zones typically chosen . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/wind-farms-threaten-southern-africas-cliff-nesting-vultures/

Avian collisions at two wind farms in Tasmania, Australia: taxonomic and ecological characteristics of colliders versus non-colliders #AUS

Data obtained during carcass and bird utilisation surveys conducted over an approximately 10- year period at two wind farms in northwest Tasmania (Bluff Point Wind Farm [BPWF] and Studland Bay Wind Farm [SBWF]) were compared. Of the species present onsite only 21% at the BPWF and 18% at the SBWF were found to collide with turbines, indicating that presence onsite was a poor indicator of collision risk. Furthermore, there was a poor relationship between abundance onsite and collisions with turbines. . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/avian-collisions-at-two-wind-farms-in-tasmania-australia-taxonomic-and-ecological-characteristics-of-colliders-versus-non-colliders/

A synthetic analysis of post-construction displacement and attraction of marine birds at offshore wind energy installations

[ABSTRACT] Changes in the distribution of marine birds in their at-sea foraging, resting, and migratory habitats are frequently observed following construction of offshore wind energy installations. However, the presence and strength of both displacement and attraction effects have been shown to vary widely among species and locations. An understanding of the underlying factors driving both occurrence and detection of distributional changes is required to inform wind farm design and develop best practices for environmental impact assessment, monitoring, and mitigation. Drawing . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/a-synthetic-analysis-of-post-construction-displacement-and-attraction-of-marine-birds-at-offshore-wind-energy-installations/

Wind farms threaten southern Africa’s cliff-nesting vultures

[Abstract] Wind farms have been shown to cause bird mortality in many studies. Proposals for the development of wind farms in Lesotho, which is core habitat for small and declining populations of the regionally Endangered Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis and regionally and globally Vulnerable southern African endemic Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres is therefore of concern. We use satellite tracking data to demonstrate that southern African Bearded Vultures spend the majority of their time foraging in landscape zones typically chosen . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/wind-farms-threaten-southern-africas-cliff-nesting-vultures/

A synthetic analysis of post-construction displacement and attraction of marine birds at offshore wind energy installations

[ABSTRACT] Changes in the distribution of marine birds in their at-sea foraging, resting, and migratory habitats are frequently observed following construction of offshore wind energy installations. However, the presence and strength of both displacement and attraction effects have been shown to vary widely among species and locations. An understanding of the underlying factors driving both occurrence and detection of distributional changes is required to inform wind farm design and develop best practices for environmental impact assessment, monitoring, and mitigation. Drawing . . .


https://www.wind-watch.org/documents/a-synthetic-analysis-of-post-construction-displacement-and-attraction-of-marine-birds-at-offshore-wind-energy-installations/