July 20, 2020 | Press Releases
Hinesburg, Vermont, USA – NRG Systems, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of smart technologies for a range of wind, solar, and meteorological applications, announced today that Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) is providing installation support for its Bat Deterrent Systems. To date, the global supplier of wind power solutions has led system deployments in the United States and Canada.
NRG’s pioneering Bat Deterrent Systems use ultrasound to dissuade bats from entering the rotor-swept zone of a turbine. Each system features multiple ultrasound-generating units that are mounted on the nacelle of a turbine, as well as a controller unit for seamless integration into a wind plant’s SCADA system. James Crouse, Siemens Gamesa’s Aftermarket Category Manager – Mods & Ups, said, “We are always looking for ways to mitigate risks to wildlife. Working with NRG to bring the bat deterrent technology to our customers has been advantageous for all stakeholders. When Siemens Gamesa performs the installation, we are giving our customers peace of mind knowing the structural integrity of the wind turbine is preserved and the warranty intact.”
The first SGRE-led installation took place in April 2020 at Northland Power’s 100MW Grand Bend Wind Farm in Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada. Wind plants in Ontario are subject to some of the most stringent bat mortality regulations in the world. To mitigate risk and help conserve local bat populations, SGRE installed Bat Deterrent Systems on six of the site’s 40 Siemens Gamesa wind turbines.
Jim Mulvale, Northland Power’s Senior Director, Environment, said, “We needed to find a deterrent technology to reduce bat mortality without having a significant impact on production, and are optimistic that the NRG acoustic deterrent system will be effective.” Mulvale added, “We were pleased by how smoothly procurement, installation and commissioning went, despite the challenges posed by COVID-19.”
In June 2020, Siemens Gamesa installed Bat Deterrent Systems on all eight of the direct drive wind turbines at Auwahi Wind, a 21MW wind farm co-owned by AEP Energy Partners and BP Wind Energy. Auwahi is located on the southeast coast of Maui, Hawaii, where conservation of the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat is particularly pressing. Greg Hall, President of AEP, said, “Since 2012, Auwahi Wind has worked hard to minimize potential impacts to the Hawaiian hoary bat, an important cultural resource in Hawaii. We are committed to bat conservation as we produce clean renewable energy for the state of Hawaii.”
Siemens Gamesa plans to install Bat Deterrent Systems at additional wind plants in North America in the coming months. If you are interested in learning more about NRG Systems’ Bat Deterrent System, please contact bats@nrgsystems.com.
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About NRG Systems, Inc.
NRG Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of ESCO Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ESE), revolutionized the way wind resource assessment was done more than 36 years ago. Today, this heritage of innovation drives everything they do. The company is dedicated to designing and manufacturing smart technologies for a more sustainable planet –that means more renewable energy, cleaner air, and a safer environment for all. Their measurement systems, turbine control sensors, Bat Deterrent Systems, and Lidar remote sensors can be found in more than 170 countries. For more information, please visit nrgsystems.com.
About Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy
Siemens Gamesa is a global leader in the wind power industry, with a strong presence in all facets of the business: offshore, onshore, and services. Through its advanced digital capabilities, the company offers one of the broadest product portfolios in the industry as well as industry-leading service solutions, helping to make clean energy more affordable and reliable. With 103 GW installed worldwide, Siemens Gamesa manufactures, installs, and maintains wind turbines, both onshore and offshore. Its backlog stands at €28.8 billion. The company is headquartered in Spain and listed on the Spanish stock exchange (traded in the Ibex-35 index).For more information, please visit siemensgamesa.com.
About Northland Power
Northland Power is a global developer, owner and operator of sustainable infrastructure assets that deliver predictable cash flows. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Northland was founded in 1987 and has been publicly traded since 1997 on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: NPI). Northland owns or has an economic interest in 2,681 MW (net 2,266 MW) of operating generating capacity and 130 MW of generating capacity under construction. For more information, please visit northlandpower.com.
About AEP Energy Partners
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to our customers. AEP’s approximately 17,400 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 221,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 5,200 megawatts of renewable energy. For more information, please visit aep.com.