Posted on 04/17/2018 8:58:29 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
With more than 50,000 wind turbines in place across the U.S., wind power now accounts for 8 percent of the nation's energy-generating capacity — and experts predict that figure could rise to 20 percent by 2030.
But all that clean, renewable energy comes with a high cost to the nation's wildlife. Researchers estimate that 140,000 to 328,000 birds are killed every year in collisions with the turbines' spinning rotor blades and support towers. The risk to birds is highest at night, when the blades and towers are cloaked in darkness.
Now researchers at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, have hit upon what could prove to be a simple way to protect birds from wind turbines. They've used the "signatures" of birds that are visible in raw weather radar data to generate bird maps and live migration forecasts designed to alert wind farm operators to the presence of birds at peak times.
he bird migration maps could also make it possible to switch off some of the lights on tall buildings and communication towers at peak times. The lights on such structures are known to confuse birds flying at night, and result in many fatal collisions, according to Horton.
Given the short period of time that the maps and forecasts have been online, it's too soon to tell whether they're having a beneficial impact. But the researchers are hoping for good results. Says Horton, "We really want to see some conservation come out of this, hopefully to reduce some of the mortality."
(Excerpt) Read more at nbcnews.com ...
I have a sneaking suspicion their plan won’t work.
If we get to 20% by 2030, there’ll be a windmill every 20 feet. Liberals will save the birds by throwing unborn babies into the windmills!!!
Neither clean nor renewable as it takes much nonrenewable resources to build and maintain these gigantic bird dicers. Plus the cost of power which is multiples greater than traditional power generation....the leftists greenies are insane....but they feel good...
Now researchers at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, have hit upon what could prove to be a simple way to protect birds from wind turbines. They’ve used the “signatures” of birds that are visible in raw weather radar data to generate bird maps and live migration forecasts designed to alert wind farm operators to the presence of birds at peak times.
—
Too bad eagles don’t migrate in flocks. They’ll still be turned into eagle confit.
Even if they could mitigate the bird kill problem, wind turbines are not a good idea because of the very high maintenance costs. Lot cheaper to have solar panel “farms” where the panels are cleaned once a month.
**The bird migration maps could also make it possible to switch off some of the lights on tall buildings and communication towers at peak times.**
Seems like lights are on these towers for a reason.
I suggest firing illegals to shoot the birds before they hit the windmills- that way the birds won’t be killed by the mills
In Lib-Land it is Feelings and Good Intentions that count, not results.
I keep getting challenged for photo evidence of bird kill from windmills.
Anybody have a source?
> designed to alert wind farm operators to the presence of birds at peak times.
Another couple of percent out an intermittent energy source. Think of it as the wind farms carbon tax, with the carbon being birds bodies.
The left deliberately ignored the obvious fact that the damn blades chop birds. Windmills have become an icon for the left, a symbol of their religion, and so they will allow nothing to tarnish that icon. They have deliberately covered up the fact that they are killing birds.
Put them offshore. Feed the fish.
If wind power now accounts for 8 percent of the nation’s energy-generating capacity, I have a bridge to sell you.
Does it work for bats as well? Wind farms kill more insect eating bats than birds.
lets see, huum, the wind is right to make money, but there are birds coming, what to do? Light em up guys. Damn the birds and full speed ahead!
In your GIF, I thought the sunset line was moving in the wrong direction but, on second look, I see the GIF is running backwards in time.
Only three to six birds per tower per year? Pull my other leg too.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.