Wind energy expansion and nature conservation should continue to be conflicted with each other
A new Hessen -wide study provides important findings on the flight behavior of the red kite and is intended to help connect the expansion of wind energy even better to protect this type of prey. The expert opinion commissioned by the Hessian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy is based on data from 12 GPS-marked red kites and documents over 5.3 million flight movements from 2021 and 2022.
"The expansion of wind energy must not go at the expense of protected species. The current study shows that we have already implemented effective protection for the red kite in Hesse," explained Minister of Economics and Energy Kaweh Mansori. The aim is to advance the nature -friendly expansion of renewable and to secure social acceptance.
Among other things, the study shows a wind -dependent flight behavior: with increasing wind speed, the red kite fly lower. This is based on the so -called low wind shutdown , a regulation developed in Hesse, which is anchored in the administrative regulation "Nature Conservation and Wind Energy". Wind turbines are temporarily switched off in weak winds, since the birds of prey are particularly common at the rotor level in these phases. In addition, many Hessian wind turbines only begin from a height of 80 meters, which further reduces the collision risk.
Another aspect of the study is the findings on the evasive behavior of the birds near the rotor , which are also used for nationwide research. The state of Hesse is therefore specifically contributing to the implementation of the requirements of the Federal Nature Conservation Act.
The study was created in coordination with the Hessian Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. It complements the investigation published in Vogelsberg in 2019 and is now available online at:
Landesplanung.hessen.de
Further information on the administrative regulation "Nature Conservation and Wind Energy": Natureeg.hessen.de
(Darmstadt - red)
