The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has selected a new project to receive a DOE-funded Technology Development and Innovation (TD&I) subcontract to address wind and wildlife challenges.
The recipient will collaborate with researchers and technology developers to advance early-stage wildlife monitoring and minimization technologies for use at wind energy facilities.
The TD&I program matches technology developers with NREL facilities and expertise to develop, validate and engineer emerging technologies that detect and deter birds and bats at wind farms.
The following project was selected under the second category, which aims to add to or improve bat impact minimization technologies that are ready for validation:
Mide Technology Corp.: Self-Powered Ultrasound Generating Device for Wind Turbine Application: The Mide Technology Corp. research team has proposed the development of an ultrasound device that can be mounted on a wind blade. This device will expand the range of influence of the ultrasound deterrent as compared to deterrents located just in the nacelle. This would ideally create a much more effective mechanism to deter approaching bats. The device will be a self-contained, self-powered system with an energy harvesting component and all-ultrasound amplifier and speaker. All the necessary electronic hardware will be embedded in an environmentally resistant shell that can be attached to a wind turbine blade tip.
The selected project will run for 18 months and will conclude with a technical report and webinar or public presentation on the results.
