Identifying a Range of Options to Prevent Or Reduce Avian Collision with Offshore Wind Farms Using a UK-Based Case Study
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BTO Research Report No. 580 Identifying a Range of Options to Prevent or Reduce Avian Collision with Offshore Wind Farms using a UK-Based Case Study Authors Cook, A.S.C.P.1, Ross-Smith, V.H.1, Roos, S.1, Burton, N.H.K.1, Beale, N.2, Coleman, C.2, Daniel, H.2, Fitzpatrick, S.2, Rankin, E.2, Norman, K.3 and Martin, G.4 1 British Trust for Ornithology; 2 AEA Group; 3 Met Office; 4 University of Birmingham Centre for Ornithology Report of work carried out by The British Trust for Ornithology, AEA Group, the Met Office and the University of Birmingham Centre for Ornithology under contract to Defra May 2011 British Trust for Ornithology The British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU Registered Charity No. 216652 British Trust for Ornithology Identifying a Range of Options to Prevent or Reduce Avian Collision with Offshore Wind Farms using a UK-Based Case Study BTO Research Report No. 580 Cook, A.S.C.P., Ross-Smith, V.H., Roos, S., Burton, N.H.K., Beale, N., Coleman, C., Daniel, H., Fitzpatrick, S., Rankin, E., Norman, K., and Martin, G. Published in May 2011 by the British Trust for Ornithology The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU, UK Copyright British Trust for Ornithology 2009 ISBN 978-1-906204-95-2 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers CONTENTS Page No. List of Tables .......................................................................................................................................... 5 List of Figures ......................................................................................................................................... 7 List of Appendices ................................................................................................................................ 13 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................... 15 GLOSSARY ............................................................................................................................................ 19 1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 21 2. IDENTIFYING A RANGE OF OPTIONS TO PREVENT OR REDUCE AVIAN COLLISION WITH WIND TURBINES ......................................................................................... 23 2.1 Objective 1: review current avian collision mitigation options, both national and International ........................................................................................................................... 23 2.1.1 Literature review ..................................................................................................... 23 2.1.2 Search parameters .................................................................................................. 23 2.1.3 Telephone interviews .............................................................................................. 26 2.2 Objective 2: To identify novel mitigation methods against avian collision.......................... 26 2.2.1 Feasibility ................................................................................................................. 26 2.2.2 Cost of implementation/operation ........................................................................ 26 2.2.3 Effectiveness ............................................................................................................ 27 2.3 Results – Objective 1: Review current avian collision mitigation options, both national and international ..................................................................................................... 27 2.3.1 Literature review ..................................................................................................... 27 2.3.1.1 Temporary shut-down ............................................................................................. 27 2.3.1.2 Reducing motion smear – anti-motion-smear patterns .......................................... 28 2.3.1.3 Reducing motion smear – rotor speed/larger turbines ........................................... 29 2.3.1.4 Increasing visibility - use of ultra violet paint/material ........................................... 29 2.3.1.5 Increasing visibility - use of lighting ......................................................................... 30 2.3.1.6 Minimal use of lighting ............................................................................................. 30 2.3.1.7 Laser deterrents ....................................................................................................... 31 2.3.1.8 Increasing visibility – marking of ground wires or power lines ................................ 31 2.3.1.9 Wind farm siting, design and layout ........................................................................ 32 2.3.1.10 Structural modification – decoy towers ................................................................... 33 2.3.1.11 Structural modifications – lattice or tubular construction / stringing mesh around lattice towers ............................................................................................... 34 2.3.1.12 Structural modifications – size / number of turbines .............................................. 34 2.3.1.13 Awareness, research and monitoring ...................................................................... 35 2.3.1.14 Remote sensing and monitoring .............................................................................. 36 2.3.1.15 Radar ........................................................................................................................ 37 2.3.1.16 Auditory deterrents ................................................................................................. 39 2.3.1.17 Timing of construction and maintenance ................................................................ 40 2.3.1.18 Other mitigation measures ...................................................................................... 40 2.3.2 Telephone interviews .............................................................................................. 40 2.4 Results - Objective 2: identify existing and novel mitigation methods that could be used to minimise avian collision ..................................................................................................... 44 2.4.1. Shortlist of mitigation options ................................................................................ 44 BTO Research Report No. 580 May 2011 1 2.4.2 Assessment of shortlisted mitigation options ........................................................ 46 2.5 Discussion and Conclusions .................................................................................................... 59 2.5.1 Evaluating the shortlisted options .......................................................................... 59 2.5.2 Feasibility ................................................................................................................. 60 2.5.3 Cost of implementation/operation ........................................................................ 60 2.5.4 Effectiveness ............................................................................................................ 60 3. IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIES MOST VULNERABLE TO COLLISION MORTALITY FROM OFFSHORE WIND FARMS ........................................................................ 63 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 63 3.2 Methods .................................................................................................................................. 63 3.2.1 Species sensitivity .................................................................................................... 63 3.2.2 Species exposure ..................................................................................................... 64 3.3 Results ..................................................................................................................................... 65 3.3.1 Species sensitivity .................................................................................................... 65 3.3.2 Species exposure ..................................................................................................... 67 3.4 Species vulnerability ............................................................................................................... 68 4. MODELLING OF COLLISION RISK IN RELATION TO THE MITIGATION OPTIONS IDENTIFIED ............................................................................................................................ 113 4.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 113 4.2 Methodology ........................................................................................................................ 113 4.2.1 Collision Risk Modelling ........................................................................................ 114 4.2.2 Population Viability Analysis ................................................................................ 116 4.3 Results ..................................................................................................................................