Creating safe habitat for batsin the vicinity of wind farms

The optimum protection of bats in the vicinity of wind turbines

Bat Protection System

Specialist in asset management, project management and wind development

Topwind is a pragmatic and service orientated company with a clear

mission: maximum effi ciency for wind turbine owners. We distinguish

ourselves by successfully combining theory with practical experience. We

off er a total solution and are focused on collaboration, customization,

safety and a completely satisfi ed customer and we are proud of it.

We are involved in development, realization and exploitation of wind

farms. With Topwind Project Support and Asset Management, your wind

farm is under the control of an independent organization backed by

many years of experience with an extensive network of professionals.

Innovative as we are - we have a solution for every challenge. We

have developed diff erent products with the goal of optimizing project

realization and improving exploitation. The Bat Protection System (BPS) is

a good example of our successful eff orts.

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The mission of Topwind

“The collaboration with Topwind is a

example of professionalism. Even when

problems with the turbine manufacturer

arose in the development phase. Topwind

had a custom-made solution for

every unexpected problem.”

Adri Mathijssen, technical support, Mega-Windy

TopwindBat Protection

System

Fulfi ll the possibilitiesIn The Netherlands and Europe the renewable energy sector faces big challenges. There are still many

locations to utilize the wind for green energy but there are environmental concerns to consider. As

developer, energy supplier and government you see plenty of possibilities.

More than a business caseTo develop a wind farm you need more than a just a proper business case based on profi t margins. It is

important to consider the ecological welfare of the area surrounding the site. A professionally prepared

environmental impact assessment gives you the necessary insight into the eff ect of your plans.

Avoid delaysIt is your responsibility to immediately gain the support and trust of the stakeholders including the

landowners, the concerned public and the government. Every interest is asking for a good tradeoff or

responsible actions. How you plan to address the protection of bats at the planned wind farm location is

a perfect example of responsible site management . With the Topwind BPS you are protecting bats and

preventing objections and expensive delays.

For a successful development the Topwind BPS can support you in many ways including:

• Strengthening the green character of your project.

• Creating a proper foundation for your planned development.

• Prevent unnecessary delays by objections.

• Contribute to a successful wind project.

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The mission of Topwind Better change for a successfulwind farm development.

According to ecologists: A Topwind BPS is more eff ective than periodic shutdowns based on predictions

”As ecologists we see great potential in a system that prevents bat/wind turbine collisions. The BPS switches off when bats are near wind turbines. This is more eff ective than the current measures taken where turbines are switched off based on predictions and forecasts. It has been a pleasure for my colleagues and myself to contribute our knowledge to this system. This is a valuable step forward for both the protection of bats and

the generation of renewable energy.”

Martijn Boonman, Bureau Waardenburg

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Protected speciesBats are a protected species. The protection of the

bats is regulated in the European wild fl ora and

fauna law and the international CITES-convention.

Adhering to the laws can be the basis for an

exemption in the permit stage of development.

Vulnerable animalsIn the Benelux there are 17 diff erent species of bats

and in The Netherlands the pipistrelle is the most

common species. Bats are vulnerable animals living

in groups where population growth is limited by the

slow birth rate. A disruption of their habitats can

have a big impact on the population.

» Nearby wind turbines the rotating blades and the air pressure drop are the major threats for bats.

Protecting bats helps nature stay in balanceBats are a vital part of the environment. Within

a couple of hours each night a bat consumes

hundreds of insects – especially mosquitoes.

Irresponsibly causing their death or destruction

of their habitat would create an imbalance in the

ecosystem.

What you need: an exemptionIf bats are present in the area you want to develop

a wind farm, there are laws and proper procedures

that have to be followed to protect the species and

their habitat. By including the Topwind BPS in your

plans, you can prove to the government agencies

that you are proactively working to protect the bats

from mid-fl ight collisions. If you prove that you are

proactively protecting the species from harm, the

governing agencies are at liberty to grant you an

exemption.

Activity vs. wind speed:

Rugged pipistrelle (Pipistrellus Nathussii)

Common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus)

Common noctule (Nyctalus noctula)

Wind speed m/s

Activity

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10| | | | | | | | | | |

Using a BPS creates the opportunityfor an exemption

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Activity

Normal activity

Increased activity

Hibernation

Janu

ary

Febr

uary

Mar

ch

Apr

il

May

June July

Aug

ust

Sept

embe

r

Oct

ober

Nov

embe

r

Dec

embe

r

Using a BPS creates the opportunityfor an exemption

The BPS: a protective responsewhen bats are detected

4

TopwindBat Protection

System

Behavior of batsWhen wind turbines are present it is crucial

to protect bats. Therefore understanding the

characteristics, behavior and habit of bats is

fundamentally important. Each species of bats

has diff erent characteristics that can also vary

due to diff erent environments. To make sure

we understand each scenario we have used the

expertise of ecologists and bat experts to develop

our Bat Protection System. A couple of general

characteristics of bats were used in the base model

and were built upon to develop the BPS including:

• Bats use high frequency sounds (sonar) between

10 kHz and 120 kHz.

• They are mostly active from April till October;

between autumn and spring they are in

hibernation.

• They don’t like wind speeds higher than 5 m/s and

temperatures below 13 degrees Celsius.

• They seek high densities of fl ying insects.

• And are active during and after sunset, but their

activity decrease sharply after midnight.

The BPS stops the turbine blades when bats are detectedThe BPS protects bats near wind turbines. The

technology of the BPS is complex, but the principle

and the procedure is simple:

1. The BPS detects bats based on the sounds they

emit. The noise of the wind turbine does not

interfere with the detection.

2. The wind turbine switches off when bats are

detected.

3. The wind turbine is started automatically if the

BPS does not detect a bat for a predetermined

period of time, or if there is a climatic change

where bats are known to avoid.

4. The detection of bats is logged for periodic

reporting and analysis.

Extensive reportAll the measurement data (such as presence,

activities, bat species, downtime and weather

conditions) will be logged and are “real-time”

available with a remote connection. By using the BPS

you always have the required reports.

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Down time mainly during off -peakThe best case scenario for bats is to turn off the

turbines when they are active. But reducing the

time the turbines are idle is your best way to

maximize effi ciencies.

Research has shown that with wind speeds lower

than 5 meters per second, bats are more likely to

be hunting as shown in the diagram on the previous

page (page 4). At that low of wind speed, the

expected production is already reduced but the BPS

will still switch off the turbine if bats are detected in

the area. The BPS will switch on the turbine when

the bats are no longer detected.

Minimum loss of production, maximum protection.The BPS combines the best of two worlds. The

system will switch off the turbine when bats are

present to signifi cantly reduce the danger of

collisions with the blades. And, while the BPS senses

that no bats are within the region, the turbines

are free to produce power. Reduced collisions, and

reduced production loss – the best solution.

Minimum standstill,maximum effi ciency

6 7

Topwind Bat Protection System

Monitoring

Protection

Start/stop ReportMonitoring Reporting

Service &

MaintenanceRegistration

Weather

data

Park

Protocol

Minimum standstill,maximum effi ciency

TOPWIND CONSULTANCY B.V.Hanzeweg 35c

3771 NG, Barneveld

The Netherlands

P +31 342 0745 462

E info@topwind.nl

www.topwind.nl