Impact and Harm Mitigation of Offshore Wind Farms on Birds

Abstract

[Introduction] Wind energy, widely recognized as one of the most mature renewable energy technologies, has developed rapidly in recent years. Over the past years, China has developed a large number of offshore wind power projects. However, the impact of wind farms on the environment, especially on birds, has caused a lot of concern and research. Before reaching the CO2 emission peak, the offshore wind energy industry will continue to grow in China. Therefore, it is necessary to fully understand the impact of wind farms on birds. [Method] Based on the summary of the existing research, this paper reviewed problems concerning birds caused by offshore wind farms, and discussed the prevention and mitigation measures that can minimize the adverse environmental impacts on birds. [Result] The results showed that wind farms have harmed the survival of birds mainly by wind turbine blade striking and wind turbine operation noises. There is no clear evidence so far that birds are affected by electromagnetic fields. The operation of wind farms may cause changes of birds' habitats, hindering of birds' reproduction and communication, and changes in population structure. People can reduce the adverse effects of wind farms on birds by means of wind farm site selection, wind farm reshape, wind turbine blade and pile crane structure design, remote sensing and video surveillance, etc. [Conclusion] By conducting profounder research on birds in wind farms, it is beneficial for us to master basic laws of bird ecology relevant to the development, construction and operation of offshore wind farms and make scientific strategies that can reduce adverse effects on ecological environment.

Keywords

• environmental impacts
• offshore wind farms
• birds
• renewable energy
• ecological effects