Small Wind Turbines Kill Birds

There is little questions that small wind turbines are killing birds and bats. From the studies in the U.S. and in Europe that's quite clear - what is not clear is why.

Statistics indicate that upwards of 40 birds per year are killed at wind turbine sites.

Why is this necessarily a problem and what do we think is really going on here?

There are a number of sections of the wind turbine assembly that the birds impact and it's just not clear why the birds are getting disoriented and flying into them.

The birds and bats can fly into the blades of course, but the tower and the tower assembly - guy wires and the power cables - also provide an obstacle for them.

The problem is the worst for larger birds. They tend to live in areas where large wind turbines are installed - mountain ridges and the like. The fog that is often seen around mountains is the problem. Fog of course can make it difficult for birds and bats to see where they are going.

What could the wind industry do to cut down on the wildlife killed each year from wind turbine strikes?

The wind industry has suggested that manufacturers make systems with larger blades. The theory is the blades won't need to turn as fast and the birds and bats can get out of their way. In practice though, this doesn't provide much relief because the tip speeds of the rotor system are still very high (over 100 mph).

Furthermore, it has been suggested that the industry move away from lattice-type towers and move to solid ones. The birds won't nest in the tower and therefore won't be near the spinning blades so often.

Other wildlife can be affected, too. Wind generators in rural locations impact bears, deer, and other smaller animals.

While a lot of the Why of this phenomenon is still unknown, it is interesting to speculate about what factors are contributing to the problem.

Is it the sound the turbines make? Could it be the vibrations in the air? Or, could it be the birds an bats are just interested and get too close when they go in to check things out?

Nonetheless, it is still the responsibility of small wind turbine manufacturers to do everything they can to not negatively affect the ecosystems where their products end up.


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Roger G. Brown has been an energy engineer for 20 years, having saved countless companies money on their power bills. If you want to learn more about how to slash your utility bill Now, check out Roger's tips on how to save money AND get a Wind Tax Credit