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What is killing the bats of Pincher Creek?
Bats are dying as they fly into low-pressure zones around wind turbines. The sudden low pressure causes the air in their lungs to expand and cause tissue damage, called barotrauma.
Low-pressure area: most severe immediately out from the blades and decreases as it gets closer to the centre of the turbine.
There is also a low-pressure area down the shaft.
August 26, 2008
by Katherine O'Neill
in Globe and Mail
A mystery surrounding the large number of dead animals on a wind farm in Alberta prompted a groundbreaking study at the University of Calgary that found the drop in air pressure around some turbines resulted in fatal respiratory injuries
Alberta proudly leads the country when it comes to producing wind energy, but in 2005, a troubling mystery began to emerge at a newly opened wind farm near Pincher Creek.
A large number of migratory bats were being found dead at the bottom of wind turbines, and many didn't show signs of actually coming into contact with the turbine blades.
TransAlta Corp.,... [continue via Web link]
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