Wind turbine (renewable energy )

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Renewable Energy (Literature Review Paper)

Introduction

Wind is an essential form of energy in the world as it provides livelihoods through the creation of jobs. As a renewable energy source, it ensures stability in currency as well as grid energy, and as a clean source of energy, it minimizes greenhouse gas emissions. Wind turbines, however, make noise, distract birds from their habitats and eventually kill them. A balance has to be created to allow the turbines to spin and the birds live. The discussion in the following paragraphs includes strategies to improve installation of turbines and protect the birds (Saidur et al., 2011).

Smarter siting for wind turbines

A better choice of a location for the wind energy production can save the damage caused by the turbines to birds. Even though most of the birds are known to fly along the primary paths for harvesting wind energy, alternative locations like food farms have been found to be suitable for the establishment of wind turbines. Additionally, wind turbines give an equal source of income like the crop grown on the same field. The positioning of the wind stations away from the cliffs as well as hill slopes can give way to the eagles that like to fly up and down in regions of active wind (Xiaojing et al., 2012).

Use of technologies such as radar to protect the birds

Wind turbines visibility is enabled by radar technology which on detecting an aircraft turns on lights thereby allowing the pilot to stay away from the blades. Sensing aircraft is more convenient than birds as they are difficult to identify due to their small size. The purpose of using radar sensors is to bring attention to the wind farms the minute the birds are nearing such farms. Detection of the motion of the birds in the radar momentarily stops the turbines, and the birds are allowed to pass through safely. Wind farms in Texas, for example, use the radar technology to protect migrating birds. Unfortunately, radar technology is only useful in detecting large-sized bird species (Xiaojing et al., 2012).

GPS tracking to avoid collisions

GPS transmitters are fitted to birds especially the endangered species to enable monitoring by neighboring wind farms. GPS increases efficiency as radar can quickly identify them. When detected, the wind turbines are temporarily stopped to allow the birds to navigate through. Unlike radar that may fail to recognize some species of birds, GPS can track almost all bird species (Xiaojing et al., 2012).

Shutting off turbines when winds are slow

Different from eagles, bats are fond of traveling in low wind speeds. Turning on the turbines when the wind speed is high can reduce the mortality of bats. In a study by Arnett et al. (2010), the death of bats was reduced by sixty percent (60%) when the turbines were let to spin at a wind speed of 5.5 meters per second. In principle, the ideal rate of wind for turning on the turbines is 3.5-4 meters per second (Arnett et al., 2010).

Conclusion

These approaches can help lessen the death of birds and bats caused by wind turbines. By attaining this result, there will be fewer conflicts regarding bat and bird mortality as a result of wind turbines, between the many concerned departments and individuals. As a consequence, the wind energy companies will have the freedom to operate. These companies will achieve their ultimate goal of protecting the environment through the provision of green energy hence reducing the effects of climate change.

References

Arnett, E.B., Huso, M.M.P., Schirmacher, M.R. Hayes, J.P. (2010). Altering turbine speed reduces bat mortality at wind-energy facilities, Front Ecol Environ.

Saidur, R., Rahim, N.A., Islam, M.R., Solangi, K.H. (2011). Environmental impact of wind energy, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Volume 15, Issue 5, Pages 2423-2430, ISSN 1364-0321, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2011.02.024.

Xiaojing, S., Diangui, H., Guoqing, Wu. (2012). The current state of offshore wind energy technology development, Energy, Volume 41, Issue 1, Pages 298-312, ISSN 0360-5442,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2012.02.054.