Page 19 - North American Clean Energy January February 2015

minimize impacts can
include the development

or positioning of siting
roads and work areas,
wind turbines and
power lines, as well

as any other onsite
infrastructure, in areas
of non-suitable habitat. Integrated turbine Wind analysis
Timing construction system
& development

activities to occur during SheerWind introduces its latest software
the winter months, when innovation, which integrates three AWS Truepower has acquired
ABB are dormant, may turbines in a row or series, increasing Windographer, a market-leading
Figure 1. Facts about American burying beetles (ABB)
also minimize potential the electrical power output for a software for analyzing, visualizing,

impacts.
single tower. SheerWind’s INVELOX and validating wind resource data from
he USFWS Nebraska system is a large funnel that captures, meteorological towers and remote
Ecological Services concentrates, and accelerates wind sensing systems. Windographer is used
Field Oice and before delivering it to turbines safely globally by wind power developers,

Nebraska Game and and eiciently at ground level. By consultants, and universities, and is
Parks Commission may placing three turbines in a series,
highly regarded for its ease-of-use and
require a project to an additional 120% power may be powerful, intuitive features. he software

undergo capture and generated in comparison to a single complements AWS Truepower’s suite of
relocation measures. turbine. Moreover, multiple turbines wind analysis and development tools,
For such measures, ABB in a single INVELOX tower correlates maps, and data, including Openwind
are captured onsite
to almost zero operational downtime Enterprise and the online Wind Site

and released in suitable because maintenance can be done
Assessment and Wind Data Management
habitat at least two
on one turbine, while the others dashboards. AWS Truepower plans
miles away. Nebraska is continue producing energy. With to work to advance Windographer,
currently the only state INVELOX capacity factor at 60% to adding greater technical depth and

that utilizes capture and 90%, and turbines installed safely more powerful features—improving its Figure 2. Distribution of ABB
relocation as a method to and conveniently at ground level, inter-operability with AWS Truepower’s
reduce potential impacts.
maintenance costs and failure are product line, while maintaining
greatly reduced.
compatibility with a wide range of other Because this procedure requires ABB to be trapped (a form of “take” under the

SheerWind
data sources and software.
Endangered Species Act) and removed from a site prior to development, capture
http://sheerwind.com
AWS Truepower, LLC and relocation measures can only be completed following completion of a Biological
www.awstruepower.com
Assessment and Biological Opinion or a Habitat Conservation Plan and Incidental
Take Permit from the USFWS. No states recognize the use of “bait away” as an

efective minimization measure. Bait away stations create artiicial means to attract
a species away from potential development, but studies have found these measures
largely unsuccessful in helping with conservation and expose ABB to greater
predation risks at the bait away station.

3. Mitigate
Mitigation typically refers to ofsite conservation easements, which are protected
in perpetuity to provide suitable habitats for ABB. For example, Oklahoma has

designated Conservation Priority Areas, where ofsite mitigation is encouraged.
Similar areas designated for conservation easements haven’t been developed in other
states at this time.
Wind project proponents should determine the amount of potentially suitable

habitats that cannot be avoided, determine a density of ABB within those habitats,
and mitigate those areas impacted accordingly.
An Industry Conservation Plan developed for the oil and gas industry in

Oklahoma has identiied various mitigation ratios depending on the nature of
the impact (permanent or temporary), and the location of the impact (within
Conservation Priority Areas, previously established mitigation lands, or elsewhere).
hese mitigation ratios may be applicable to future wind projects, but must be

developed through coordination with the USFWS and the appropriate state wildlife
management agency.
As a project proceeds within the potential range of ABB, permitted biologists
can assist wind power developers with surveys, Biological Assessments, or Habitat

Conservation Plans to comply with the Endangered Species Act. As with any
proposed project, it’s imperative to contact and involve the local USFWS Ecological
Services Field Oice and the respective state wildlife agency early in the planning
process to avoid unnecessary project delays or expenses.

Ben Bainbridge is a biologist with POWER Engineers, Inc.

POWER Engineers, Inc. | www.powereng.com

North American Clean Energy 19