Duke Energy Installs Bat-Deterring System in RGV Wind Farms

Texas leads the United States when it comes to wind energy generation. That title, however, comes at a cost to the state’s large bat population, which are often drawn to, and injured by, the spinning turbines.

In an effort to protect the bats, Duke Energy Renewables is installing NRG Systems’ Bat Deterrent System at 255 wind turbines beginning in July at its Los Vientos III, IV and V wind farms.. The 30,000-acre wind farm is approximately 100 miles west of Brownsville, near Rio Grande City in Starr County; the first phase came online in late 2012.

When bats enter the airspace where the deterrent units are operating, ultrasonic energy disrupts their bio sonar, making it difficult for them to find food sources and navigate their surroundings. This minimizes bats’ interactions with the wind turbines. The ultrasonic field emitted by the Bat Deterrent System does not harm the bats and quickly dissipates.

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