A landmark six-year study conducted by Natural Resource Solutions Inc. (NRSI) has shown that combining NRG Systems, Inc.’s Bat Deterrent System with operational curtailment can reduce bat fatalities at wind plants by up to 91 percent. The research, carried out on wind projects in Ontario, Canada, highlights the potential of NRG’s ultrasonic acoustic deterrent technology to protect bat populations while optimizing renewable energy production.
Introduced in 2018, NRG Systems’ Bat Deterrent System is designed to minimize turbine curtailment while protecting bat populations. Curtailment, though effective, reduces energy production by increasing cut-in speed.
The study, which spanned from 2017 to 2022, assessed bat fatality rates at two wind facilities in southern Ontario. Using 10 turbines in the study sample, researchers compared three treatment scenarios: baseline operations, a 5.5 m/s operational curtailment, and a 5.5 m/s operational curtailment paired with the NRG Bat Deterrent System, mounted on turbine nacelles. Key bat species observed included the Big Brown Bat, Hoary Bat, Eastern Red Bat, and Silver-haired Bat.
When curtailment was paired with acoustic deterrents, significant reductions in fatalities per turbine were observed compared to baseline operations. The Big Brown Bat saw the largest reduction (91 percent), followed by the Silver-haired Bat (76 percent), Hoary Bat (75 percent), and Eastern Red Bat (57 percent). Notably, the addition of NRG’s Bat Deterrent System further reduced fatality rates by 26-82 percent compared to curtailment alone, depending on the species.
“Historically, curtailment has been the primary solution for reducing bat fatalities at wind plants,” said Evan Vogel, NRG Systems president. “While effective, relying solely on curtailment compromises energy output and reduces a project’s return on investment. By pairing curtailment with NRG’s Bat Deterrent System, owners and operators achieve a further reduction in bat fatalities, while maintaining more consistent energy production. This is a win-win approach that supports both project success and conservation efforts.”
“Reducing bat fatalities on operational wind projects is a critical issue, particularly as several bat species face increasing regulatory protections in Canada and the U.S.,” said Charlotte Teat, senior terrestrial and wetland biologist at NRSI and the study’s co-author. “Our findings underscore the value of acoustic deterrents as an effective tool for mitigating impacts to bat populations without further increasing cut-in speeds for curtailment, enabling more effective wind energy development – a crucial tool in addressing climate change.”
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