Duke Energy Renewables will install NRG Systems’ bat deterrent system at the former’s Los Vientos 3, 4 and 5 wind farms in Texas.
The technology will be installed on nacelles and uses ultrasound to block the sonar that bats use to navigate in the dark, causing them to avoid areas around the wind turbines.
Installation will take place over a five-year period starting in July covering 255 turbines, Duke energy said.
The move will mark the first commercial deployment of the bat deterrent system in the continental US.
The Rio Grande Valley, where the Los Vientos wind projects are located, has a population of common bat species that provide pest control benefits to local farmers and ranchers.
Maintaining this local bat population was the impetus behind a two-year field study conducted by Duke Energy Renewables, NRG Systems and Texas State University.
The study found that the bat deterrent system reduced overall bat fatalities by 50% around wind turbine locations at the Los Vientos sites.
Duke Energy lead environmental scientist Greg Aldrich said: “With this new technology, we’re pleased that we’ll be able to significantly reduce the impacts on bats and continue our environmental leadership in this area.”
NRG Systems senior product manager Brogan Morton said: “Their [Duke Energy Renewables] participation in the two-year study coupled with their willingness to share their expertise with us helped us create a commercially viable Bat Deterrent System that we expect will have considerable benefits both in terms of wildlife conservation and renewable energy generation.”