[BCNnet] more info on wind turbines
BERRY, Kristen America McClure
kberry@audubon.org
Tue, 20 Aug 2002 12:16:11 -0400
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Robbie-
Great information on the wind turbines. I just returned from a tour of the
State Line Wind Project, which is the largest wind project in the country.
It falls on the Oregon Washington border near Walla Walla, Washington and is
owned and operated by Florida Power and Light Energy group.
If anyone has any questions about this project or wants information that I
received from FPL, please let me know.
Thanks!
kb
Kristen America McClure Berry
National Audubon Society
1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20006
Office: 202.861.2242
Fax: 202.861.4290
Cell: 202.549.1032
"The cure for anything is saltwater: sweat, tears or the sea" Isak Dinesen
-----Original Message-----
From: Robbie Hunsinger [mailto:hunsinger@telocity.com]
Sent: Sunday, August 18, 2002 12:24 PM
To: Bird Conservation Network-L
Subject: [BCNnet] more info on wind turbines
Dear BCNnet,
I have found some interesting websites concerning wind turbine use.
First of all, there have been no alarming statistics on migratory birds that
I have been able to find.
One site from Denmark
http://www.windpower.dk/tour/env/birds.htm
actually reports that migratory birds change their flight paths 100-200
meters out from turbines to avoid them, during day and night hours. This
same organization suggests that power lines going to and from a wind plant
are more dangerous to birds than the turbines themselves.
There are options other than running high lines in such an operation. Any
ideas on influencing this part of the plan in Illinois?
Also the design of the turbines is very important. There are slower blades
now that are safer for birds from what I have read. The height of the
machines and concentration can be important as well.
There is an infamous case of avain mortality at wind turbines in Alta Mount
CA. These turbines were placed within a well known breeding ground for
Golden Eagles - go figure. My impression is that eagles were killed while
diving to hunt, and that also certain prey birds were trying to avoid being
caught and ran into the turbines. I don't know exactly, but the impression
is that the eagle would perch and then dive, not seeing the rotating blades.
There were other fatalities pretty well documented, but not a lot of
conclusive info.
General concensus seems to be that the slower moving blades are a safer
choice. Also that no guys wires should be used, or platforms which can be
used as hunting perches. There are definitely better and worse designs as
far as the birds go.
I am aware that the turbine going up at the Field Museum has a ring around
it. It seems that this would encourage some type of high risk perching.
Anybody know why they chose this design?
I will try to find out and write back in. I have played phone tag with
Steven Walter at the Mayor's Office , but have not been successful in
actually talking to him. He seemed very open to talking about the green
energy plans and he was aware of avain issues, which seems very
encouraging.
There are a ton of papers online about these issues.
Links below are to the most informative sites I have found.
http://www.currykerlinger.com/windpower.htm
http://www.nationalwind.org/pubs/avian00/default.htm
http://www.nrel.gov/wind/avian.html
http://www.windpower.dk/tour/env/birds.htm
In conclusion, I think it is important to weigh in on the turbine designs,
placement of these farms, and also very importantly, on the the power line
issues. Also, does anyone know if they will be required to put those
damned bird attracting lights on the towers? Just another wrinkle.
Overall, it seems possible from what I've read, to make choices in the
design of these plants that will really cut down on chances of avain
mortality.
Please let me know if you have ideas about this, and if you have found other
helpful links.
I will keep a list of resources.
Robbie Hunsinger
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<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Robbie-<o:p></o:p></span></font></p=
>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=
<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DGramE><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy =
face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Great =
information on the
wind turbines.</span></font></span><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy =
face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>I just returned from a tour of =
the State Line
Wind Project, which is the largest wind project in the country.<span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>It falls on the =
</span></font><st1:place><st1:City><font
size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>Oregon</span></font></st1:City><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dnavy
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> =
</span></font><st1:State><font
size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>Washington</span></font></st1:State></st1:place><font =
size=3D2
color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> border near </span></font><st1:place><st1:City><font =
size=3D2
color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>Walla Walla</span></font></st1:City><font size=3D2 =
color=3Dnavy
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>, =
</span></font><st1:State><font
size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'>Washington</span></font></st1:State></st1:place><font =
size=3D2
color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'> and is owned and operated by Florida Power and Light =
Energy group.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>If anyone has any questions about =
this
project or wants information that I received from FPL, please let me =
know.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Thanks!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p=
>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=
<p class=3DMsoNormal><span class=3DGramE><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy =
face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>kb</span></font>=
</span><font
size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;
color:navy'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>=
<div>
<p><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Copperplate Gothic =
Bold"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Copperplate Gothic =
Bold";color:navy;
font-weight:bold;mso-no-proof:yes'>Kristen America McClure =
Berry</span></font></b><font
color=3Dnavy><span style=3D'color:navy;mso-no-proof:yes'> <br>
</span></font><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Copperplate Gothic =
Bold"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Copperplate Gothic =
Bold";color:navy;
font-weight:bold;mso-no-proof:yes'>National Audubon =
Society</span></font></b><font
color=3Dnavy><span style=3D'color:navy;mso-no-proof:yes'> <br>
</span></font><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Copperplate Gothic =
Bold"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Copperplate Gothic =
Bold";color:navy;
font-weight:bold;mso-no-proof:yes'>1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, =
NW</span></font></b><font
color=3Dnavy><span style=3D'color:navy;mso-no-proof:yes'> <br>
</span></font><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Copperplate Gothic =
Bold"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Copperplate Gothic =
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font-weight:bold;mso-no-proof:yes'>Suite 1100</span></font></b><font
color=3Dnavy><span style=3D'color:navy;mso-no-proof:yes'> <br>
</span></font><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Copperplate Gothic =
Bold"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Copperplate Gothic =
Bold";color:navy;
font-weight:bold;mso-no-proof:yes'>Washington, DC =
20006</span></font></b><font
color=3Dnavy><span style=3D'color:navy;mso-no-proof:yes'> =
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Copperplate Gothic =
Bold"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Copperplate Gothic =
Bold";color:navy;
font-weight:bold;mso-no-proof:yes'>Office: 202.861.2242 =
</span></font></b><font
color=3Dnavy><span style=3D'color:navy;mso-no-proof:yes'><br>
</span></font><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Copperplate Gothic =
Bold"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Copperplate Gothic =
Bold";color:navy;
font-weight:bold;mso-no-proof:yes'>Fax: =
202.861.4290</span></font></b><font
color=3Dnavy><span style=3D'color:navy;mso-no-proof:yes'> <br>
</span></font><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Copperplate Gothic =
Bold"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Copperplate Gothic =
Bold";color:navy;
font-weight:bold;mso-no-proof:yes'>Cell: =
202.549.1032</span></font></b><font
color=3Dnavy><span =
style=3D'color:navy;mso-no-proof:yes'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><strong><b><font size=3D2 color=3Dnavy face=3D"Copperplate Gothic =
Bold"><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Copperplate Gothic =
Bold";color:navy;
mso-no-proof:yes'>"The cure for anything is saltwater: sweat, =
tears or the
sea" Isak Dinesen</span></font></b></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D2 =
face=3DTahoma><span
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>-----Original =
Message-----<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>From:</span></b> Robbie Hunsinger
[mailto:hunsinger@telocity.com<span class=3DGramE>] <br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Sent</span></b></span><b><span
style=3D'font-weight:bold'>:</span></b> Sunday, August 18, 2002 12:24 =
PM<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Bird Conservation =
Network-L<br>
<b><span style=3D'font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [BCNnet] more =
info on
wind turbines</span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D3 =
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D3 =
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>Dear BCNnet,<br>
<br>
I have found some interesting websites concerning wind turbine use.<br>
First of all, there have been no alarming statistics on migratory birds =
that I
have been able to find.<br>
<br>
One site from Denmark<br>
http://www.windpower.dk/tour/env/birds.htm <br>
actually reports that migratory birds change their flight paths 100-200 =
meters
out from turbines to avoid them, during day and night hours. This same
organization suggests that power lines going to and from a wind plant =
are more
dangerous to birds than the turbines themselves. <br>
<br>
There are options other than running high lines in such an operation. =
Any ideas
on influencing this part of the plan in Illinois?<br>
<br>
Also the design of the turbines is very important. There are slower =
blades now
that are safer for birds from what I have read. The height of the =
machines and
concentration can be important as well. <br>
<br>
There is an infamous case of avain mortality at wind turbines in Alta =
Mount CA.
These turbines were placed within a well known breeding ground for =
Golden
Eagles - go figure. My impression is that eagles were killed =
while diving
to hunt, and that also certain prey birds were trying to avoid being =
caught and
ran into the turbines. I don't know exactly, but the impression =
is that
the eagle would perch and then dive, not seeing the rotating blades. =
There were
other fatalities pretty well documented, but not a lot of =
conclusive
info.<br>
<br>
General concensus seems to be that the slower moving blades are a safer =
choice.
Also that no guys wires should be used, or platforms which can be used =
as
hunting perches. There are definitely better and worse designs as =
far as
the birds go.<br>
<br>
I am aware that the turbine going up at the Field Museum has a ring =
around it.
It seems that this would encourage some type of high risk perching. =
Anybody
know why they chose this design?<br>
I will try to find out and write back in. I have played phone tag with =
Steven
Walter at the Mayor's Office , but have not been successful in actually =
talking
to him. He seemed very open to talking about the green energy plans and =
he was
aware of avain issues, which seems very encouraging.<br>
<br>
There are a ton of papers online about these issues. <br>
<br>
Links below are to the most informative sites I have found.<br>
<br>
http://www.currykerlinger.com/windpower.htm<br>
http://www.nationalwind.org/pubs/avian00/default.htm<br>
http://www.nrel.gov/wind/avian.html<br>
http://www.windpower.dk/tour/env/birds.htm<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D3 =
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=3DMsoNormal style=3D'margin-left:.5in'><font size=3D3 =
face=3D"Times New Roman"><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt'>In conclusion, I think it is important to =
weigh in on
the turbine designs, placement of these farms, and also very =
importantly,
on the the power line issues. Also, does anyone know if =
they will
be required to put those damned bird attracting lights on the =
towers?
Just another wrinkle.<br>
<br>
Overall, it seems possible from what I've read, to make choices in the =
design
of these plants that will really cut down on chances of avain =
mortality.<br>
<br>
Please let me know if you have ideas about this, and if you have found =
other
helpful links.<br>
I will keep a list of resources.<br>
<br>
Robbie Hunsinger<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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