Boise state university (BSU) plans an approach that leverages the benefits of a) controlled laboratory studies, B) experimental field studies, and C) tests at wind turbines, to triangulate onto the…

The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy awarded Boise State University a $999,904 Cooperative Agreement under the Renewable Energy Research and Development program (CFDA 81.087) to conduct research and development on acoustic deterrents for protecting bats at wind energy facilities. The project aims to determine the most effective acoustic deterrent stimuli to reduce bat activity at wind turbines based on factors like predictability, frequency, and frequency modulation. Boise State University will perform a stepped approach, conducting controlled laboratory studies, experimental field studies, and tests at operational wind turbines to triangulate the optimal acoustic deterrent. The project also includes a sub-award to Bat Conservation International, Inc. to provide project management, coordinate field testing, and support data analysis and publication efforts. This multi-year project, with an award date of April 1, 2024 and an ultimate completion date of December 31, 2025, will provide an experimentally-verified, ready-to-deploy acoustic deterrent solution to protect bats at wind energy facilities.

Boise state university (BSU) plans an approach that leverages the benefits of a) controlled laboratory studies, B) experimental field studies, and C) tests at wind turbines, to triangulate onto the most effective acoustic deterrent for bats. BSU aims to test several stimuli types along the crossed gradients of predictability, frequency, and frequency modulation. BSU has three primary objectives: 1) determine which acoustical axes (predictability, frequency, and frequency modulation) are most deterring to bats (see figure 4 for example acoustic stimuli). Predicted outcome: BSU predicts that BAT activity will be lowest at minimum predictability values. If sonar jamming mechanistically underlies BAT avoidance, BSU predicts greatest avoidance behavior at frequencies that overlap BAT sonar (i.e., higher frequency). If bats avoid acoustic deterrents due to a more general aversion mechanism, BSU predicts BAT avoidance will be greatest when lower frequencies are broadcast. If jamming underlies BAT response behavior, BSU expects high FM rate stimuli will lower BAT activity most effectively. Alternatively, if general aversion underlies BAT response behavior, BSU predicts BAT activity will be low at all FM rates. 2) perform randomized block tests across contexts in the lab and field (budget period 1), and at operational wind turbines (budget period 2) to test the efficacy of our acoustical deterrents. This stepped approach will allow our team to narrow down possible acoustic deterrent options as BSU moves toward real-world application. Predicted outcome: stimuli that elicit the strongest avoidance behavior in the lab will show similar performance in the field and at wind turbines. 3) provide an experimentally-verified (across scales and contexts) acoustic deterrent file, that is ready for deployment at wind turbines to protect bats.