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Micro-turbines and wildlife
Research at Stirling University has been investigating possible effects of micro-turbines (defined as units generating < 50kW electricity). This has involved a combination of approaches:1. Compiling surveys of turbine owners
2. Experimentally testing the effect of turbine operation on the activity of birds and bats at 20 sites in Northern England and Central Scotland
3. Searching for dead birds and bats around turbine sites and conducting scavenger trials to assess the rate of removal
4. Conducting surveys of Local Authority planning officials to assess the planning process as it relates to micro-turbines and wildlife conservation.
Details of findings will be posted on this website once they have undergone the peer review process in scientific journals. We hope to be able to issue our initial findings in the near future. |
[Respondents to our turbine survey: red = free-standing units; green = building mounted units] |
If you are the owner of a micro-turbine you could help this research by completing a short questionnaire either on-line or by downloading a hard copy.
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Researchers involved:
Dr Jeroen Minderman (now at Newcastle University) Cerian Tatchley (PhD student) Dr Chris Pendlebury (Natural Power) Dr James Pearce-Higgins (BTO)
This research is funded by The Leverhulme Trust
supported by the Bat Conservation Trust |
