Evaluating the Effectiveness of Ultrasonic Acoustic Deterrents in Reducing Bat Fatalities at Wind Energy Facilities Award Number: DE-EE0007036 CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.11 Wind Program Date: 6/10/2016 Location(s): PA Office(s): Golden Field Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
August 11, 2016
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Evaluating the Effectiveness of Ultrasonic Acoustic Deterrents in Reducing Bat Fatalities at Wind Energy Facilities
Award Number: DE-EE0007036
CX(s) Applied: A9, B3.11
Wind Program
Date: 6/10/2016
Location(s): PA
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposes to provide federal funding to Bat Conservation International (BCI) to determine the best placement and orientation of Ultrasonic Acoustic Deterrents (UADs) on wind turbines. The goals are to assess the functionality of a newly redesigned UAD in reducing bat fatality, and to compare the costs and benefits of UADs.
The proposed project includes eight tasks. These include:
Task 1.0: Initial Installation Plan
Task 2.0: Initial Manufacturing of UADs
Task 3.0: Initial Installation and Monitoring of UADs
Task 4.0: Analysis and Reporting of Preliminary Functionality Test of UADs
Task 5.0: Final Manufacturing and Installation of UADs
Task 6.0: Comparative Study
Task 7.0: Final Analysis of Comparative Study
Task 8.0: Final Report, Review, and Dissemination
This recipient previously received a NEPA determination (GFO-0007036-001; CX-A9, CX-B3.6, 9/8/2015) for activities associated with Task 1.0 Initial Installation Plan and Task 2.0 Initial Manufacturing of UADs. Activities for Task 1.0 included information gathering regarding the placement and orientation of UADs on the nacelle, and completing a guidance document for UAD installation. Activities for Task 2.0 included manufacturing of a test-set of UADs and the associated mounting hardware and lab testing to assess their functionality and weatherization.
This NEPA review applies to Task 3.0 Initial Installation and Monitoring of UADs and Task 4.0 Analysis and Reporting of Preliminary Functionality Test of UADs only. Proposed activities for Task 3.0 include installing 10 acoustic deterrents on 2 turbines (5 deterrents per turbine) along with installing thermal video cameras to record bat activity. The UADs transmit ultrasonic sound in the range of 20–60 kHz and are intended to deter bats from the rotor-swept area. Proposed activities for Task 4.0 include conducting analysis on the results from Task 3 and completing a report on those results.