Wind Resource Area Research Articles

Bearing Behavior of Large-Diameter Monopile Foundations of Offshore Wind Turbines in Weathered Residual Soil Seabeds

The southeastern rock base sea area is the most abundant wind resource area, and it is also the mainstream construction site of offshore wind farms (OWFs) in China. The weathered residual soil is the main seabed component in the rock base area, which is the important bearing stratum of the offshore wind turbine foundation. Previous studies on the mechanical properties of seabed materials and bearing characteristics of the pile foundations in OWFs have mainly focused on the submarine soil-based seabed, resulting in a lack of direct reference for the construction of offshore wind power in the rocky seabed. Therefore, the mechanical properties of weathered residual soil and the bearing behaviors of monopile foundations are mainly investigated in this study. Firstly, dynamic triaxial tests are conducted on the weathered residual soil, and experiments analyze insight into the evolution law of the hysteresis curve, cumulative strain, and stiffness attenuation. Then, the horizontal loading behaviors of monopile foundations in residual soil are analyzed by numerical simulations; more critically, the service performances under wind and wave coupling loads are evaluated, which provide a direct theoretical basis for the construction and design of offshore wind turbine foundations in rock base seabeds.

Understanding fatality patterns and sex ratios of Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) at wind energy facilities in western California and Texas

Background Operation of wind turbines has resulted in collision fatalities for several bat species, and one proven method to reduce these fatalities is to limit wind turbine blade rotation (i.e., curtail turbines) when fatalities are expected to be highest. Implementation of curtailment can potentially be optimized by targeting times when females are most at risk, as the proportion of females limits the growth and stability of many bat populations. The Brazilian free-tailed bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) is the most common bat fatality at wind energy facilities in California and Texas, and yet there are few available data on the sex ratios of the carcasses that are found. Understanding the sex ratios of fatalities in California and Texas could aid in planning population conservation strategies such as informed curtailment. Methods We used PCR to determine the sex of bat carcasses collected from wind energy facilities during post-construction monitoring (PCM) studies in California and Texas. In California, we received samples from two locations within the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area in Alameda County: Golden Hills (GH) (n = 212) and Golden Hills North (GHN) (n = 312). In Texas, we received samples from three wind energy facilities: Los Mirasoles (LM) (Hidalgo County and Starr County) (n = 252), Los Vientos (LV) (Starr County) (n = 568), and Wind Farm A (WFA) (San Patricio County and Bee County) (n = 393). Results In California, the sex ratios of fatalities did not differ from 50:50, and the sex ratio remained stable over the survey years, but the seasonal timing of peak fatalities was inconsistent. In 2017 and 2018, fatalities peaked between September and October, whereas in 2019 and 2020 fatalities peaked between May and June. In Texas, sex ratios of fatalities varied between locations, with Los Vientos being female-skewed and Wind Farm A being male-skewed. The sex ratio of fatalities was also inconsistent over time. Lastly, for each location in Texas with multiple years studied, we observed a decrease in the proportion of female fatalities over time. Discussion We observed unexpected variation in the seasonal timing of peak fatalities in California and differences in the sex ratio of fatalities across time and facility location in Texas. In Texas, proximity to different roost types (bridge or cave) likely influenced the sex ratio of fatalities at wind energy facilities. Due to the inconsistencies in the timing of peak female fatalities, we were unable to determine an optimum curtailment period; however, there may be location-specific trends that warrant future investigation. More research should be done over the entirety of the bat active season to better understand these trends in Texas. In addition, standardization of PCM studies could assist future research efforts, enhance current monitoring efforts, and facilitate research on post-construction monitoring studies.

Environmental Condition Boundary Design for Direct-Drive Permanent Magnet (DDPM) Wind Generators by Using Extreme Joint Probability Distribution

In future engineering applications, it is important for a direct-drive permanent magnet (DDPM) wind generator to be designed with optimized environmental condition boundary. This paper presents a novel extreme joint probability distribution method of boundary design to formulate the evaluation model and correlation between component design and environmental conditions. With this method, the joint probability distributions of multidimensional parameters for typical wind resource areas in China are studied. A 3.3-MW DDPM wind generator is involved in the case study to validate the superiority of the method. Furthermore, to improve the generalizability of the method, some typical wind resource data platforms are calibrated regarding the measured data. It is shown that the ERA5 dataset can be used as a supplement to enhance the representativeness of the measured data for the joint probability distributions. Therefore, the proposed method can be potentially used to optimize the system design of future DDPM wind generators.

Breeding Density and Collision Mortality of Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area

Loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) has declined across most or all of its geographic range. The species’ raptorial behavior requires maintenance of large territories, which means populations of breeding shrikes require large areas of habitat and are therefore sensitive to habitat loss and habitat fragmentation. We estimated breeding densities of loggerhead shrikes in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area (APWRA), California, where annual shrike mortality caused by wind turbine collisions was high until just before our study began in 2016. Based on surveys across an annual average 50 randomized sampling plots in 2016–2019, we estimated an average 129 breeding pairs/year across the 167.6-km2 APWRA. Relative to the size of the study area, density in the APWRA was relatively high compared to densities reported from other study sites across North America. It was higher than predicted by application of the Partners in Flight estimator, which was based on Breeding Bird Surveys along roads. We also found that loggerhead shrikes in the APWRA were limited by the availability of nest substrate and by California ground squirrels (Otospermophilus beecheyi) and their burrow complexes, which have keystone effects on vegetation and wildlife in the APWRA. To most effectively conserve loggerhead shrikes in the APWRA, wind turbine mortality should be minimized, ground squirrels conserved instead of eradicated as pests, and appropriate trees and shrubs cultivated where they are needed.

High-resolution mesoscale wind-resource assessment of Fiji using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model

This study presents a high-resolution mesoscale wind-resource assessment of the small island developing state (SIDS) of Fiji using a 10-year simulation of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with convection-permitting resolution. Our analysis evaluates the wind speed and Weibull distributions, diurnal and seasonal wind speed patterns, resource maps of annual and seasonal wind speed, power density, model statistical analysis and interannual wind speed variability. The results reveal that the WRF-model simulated wind resource parameters are in good agreement with observations at 24 existing weather stations. At 55 m above ground, the annual mean wind speed and wind power density varies from 1.5 m/s to 8 m/s and 50 W/m2 to 300 W/m2, respectively, for onshore land areas. Higher wind speeds are observed during austral winter than in austral summer. Forty high wind-resource areas are identified in this study, which were previously unknown. This indicates that there is potential for utility-scale wind power generation at selected locations with wind speed and power density greater than 6.4 m/s and 300 W/m2 (NREL, Wind Power Class 3). An estimated 1000 MW theoretical potential installed capacity is available for utility-scale wind power applications on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.

Estimates of aerial vertebrate mortality at wind farms in a bird migration corridor and bat diversity hotspot

Three major flyways of the Nearctic – Neotropical bird migration system converge at the coastal plains of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico. Approximately one million vultures and raptors traverse the area during the autumn migration season, and more than 60 species of nocturnally migrating birds have been recorded there. Furthermore, more than 60 bat species inhabit this region, which also harbors the most important wind resource area of the country. There, the number of wind turbines increased from 98 to >1500 between 2006 and 2015. We estimated bird and bat mortality at three wind farms in the Isthmus, correcting for different sources of bias. Between June and November 2015, we found 75 bird and 72 bat carcasses, belonging to 30 and 20 species respectively. Although we found more bird than bat carcasses, our corrected estimates are higher for bats than for birds. Corrected mortality ranges between 4.0 – 5.6 birds/MW and 9.08 – 21.23 bats/MW during the months of the study, or between 9.06 – 12.85 birds/MW/year and 20.47 – 43.79 bats/MW/year. Contrary to patterns of aerial vertebrate mortality at wind farms in temperate latitudes, all bat and most bird fatalities were from resident species, even when considering bird migration months only. Corrected bird mortality was highest at the wind farm with the tallest wind turbines. Our estimated fatalities/MW/year are higher than rates of bat and bird mortality recorded at numerous wind farms in the United States, and our estimates may still be biased low. Thus, our results offer a first glimpse to the magnitude of bird and bat mortality at this tropical hotspot for aerial vertebrates. More than 15 wind farms are currently operating in the region, hence a larger-scale effort is needed to fully understand the cumulative mortality of aerial vertebrates, particularly of resident species, at this wind energy hub and diversity hotspot.

Renewable energy contingencies in power systems: Concept and case study

This paper introduces the concept of renewable energy contingencies that represent long-term/extended variability of variable renewable energy (VRE) resources, namely, significant periods (e.g., days/weeks) of low wind/solar availability. These contingencies have not received much attention to date but are likely to emerge as a major issue in some countries such as India as the share of VRE increases. Using 38 years of climate model reanalysis data for wind over India, we demonstrate that low periods of wind contingency below long-term (Indian) national average of 5 m/s can extend for more than 100 days in several zones some of which are deploying large wind farms. Even in some of the best wind resource areas in India with long term average wind speed close to 7 m/s, low wind days (e.g., 5 m/s which is substantially below average) can extend up to 60 days. We propose a four-step methodology around a co-optimization based energy-ancillary services dispatch model to assess the impact of renewable contingency and implemented it for the state of Tamil Nadu, the most wind-rich state of India. We have estimated that annual renewable contingency cost impact of 5 GW additional wind in Tamil Nadu to be in the range of US$27–76 million pa. Planning analysis should embrace the concept of renewable contingency to recognize these costs and put in place necessary spinning reserve and back-up generation resources.

Application of bias corrections to improve hub-height ensemble wind forecasts over the Tehachapi Wind Resource Area

This study demonstrates improvements in ensemble wind forecasts at hub height due to bias correction strategies and their impact on wind energy forecasts at the Alta II wind farm in southern California. The ensemble consists of twenty members that differ in physics schemes used. Ensemble wind forecasts are produced for three months. Hub-height sodar wind observations are used to evaluate forecast performance. Time-dependent bias correction (TBC) and probability bias correction (PBC) are proposed to calibrate hub-height ensemble wind forecasts.The root mean square errors (RMSEs) and biases of forecasted hub-height winds are significantly reduced using both bias correction methods. RMSEs were reduced by 20% and 15% for TBC and PBC, respectively. When evaluating forecast performance from a reliability perspective, PBC better corrects both high and low forecast probabilities for high-wind thresholds. The penalty associated with deviation of the wind energy forecasts from observed values is reduced by 8.7% and 8.0% for TBC and PBC, respectively. It is notable that PBC produces a greater penalty reduction during the high wind bias forecast period (6 p.m.–8 a.m. local standard time); during this time period, PBC reduces the penalty by 25.8% while TBC reduces it by just 19.2%.

Statistical analysis and elaboration of the wind potential map of the city of Bangui (Central African Republic)

In order to secure future energy and protect the environment, it would be important to consider the potential of the wind resource for the supply of electricity. For this first type of study in the Central African Republic, we chose the City of Bangui for which an assessment of wind energy resources is made using the WAsP program and the Weibull distribution for this task. Different types of data were collected on climate, topography and roughness. The observed wind climates of the meteorological station have been made. The wind atlas and resource grid have been calculated, particularly in high wind resource areas. The annual energy output of a hypothetical wind farm consisting of ten VESTAS V82 turbines of 1.65 MW each is estimated using representative Weibull wind data for a total of 10 years. The calculated annual energy output is 42.626 GW h. In order to model physical parameters useful for the evaluation of the wind potential, some standard models have been used. The results obtained by calculation are in agreement with those obtained by the WAsP code.

Population‐level effects of wind farms on a desert lizard

ABSTRACTRenewable forms of energy production can have major societal benefits including reduced carbon pollution and decreased dependence on fossil fuels but are not without associated costs. For example, habitat degradation at renewable energy production sites may affect the persistence of wildlife populations. We assessed the effects of wind farms in the San Gorgonio Wind Resource Area near Palm Springs, California, 2013–2015, on local populations of the side‐blotched lizard (Uta stansburiana). The side‐blotched lizard is a common and ubiquitous desert reptile that is a major consumer of invertebrates and, in turn, represents a key prey base for many avian, reptilian, and mammalian predators. We used spatially explicit capture‐recapture methods to compare a comprehensive set of population‐level vital signs (i.e., abundance, population growth rate, survival, recruitment, body condition, age structure, activity area size, movement rates) among populations at 4 wind farms and at 5 reference areas. Although our models indicate that wind facilities have a weak negative effect on side‐blotched lizard survival, our overall results suggest that wind farms do not substantially influence the demography or behavior of these small lizards. Population response to general anthropogenic disturbance (quantified as an index of road type and density) was more pronounced, with lower population growth rates, adult‐skewed age structure, and reduced body condition at highly disturbed wind farm and reference sites. We therefore conclude that wind‐power facilities can support healthy populations of side‐blotched lizards, indicating that wind energy development is compatible with a native Mojave Desert species. However, our results show that anthropogenic disturbance, as measured by the type and density of roadways, has a negative effect on lizard populations, and should be carefully planned whether associated with energy development or not. Our study demonstrates a methodological approach that can be applied to other species, including those with lower tolerances to disturbance, to measure their response to renewable energy development. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.

Estimating wind turbine fatalities using integrated detection trials

ABSTRACTFatality monitoring at wind projects requires carcass detection trials to adjust fatality estimates for the proportion of fatalities not found. However, detection trials vary greatly in metric, duration, carcass monitoring schedule, species, number placed, state of decomposition, whether placed within or outside search areas, and other factors. We introduce a new approach for estimating fatalities by quantifying overall detection rates rather than separate rates for searcher detection error and carcass persistence, and by leaving placed and found fatality carcasses undisturbed throughout monitoring. We placed 2 fresh‐frozen bird carcasses weekly at random sites within fatality search areas and on randomized days Monday–Friday at Sand Hill and Santa Clara wind projects, Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area, California, USA. To estimate detection rates, we used logit regression to fit detection outcomes on body mass, which served as an axis of similitude between placed trial carcasses and fatality finds. Adjusted carcass placement rates among species detected by searchers regressed on true placement rates with a slope of 1.0 so long as sufficient numbers of trial carcasses were placed, thus validating our approach as an unbiased estimator. Our approach generally estimated lower fatality rates than did conventional approaches, the latter of which demonstrated biases in searcher detection rates and carcass persistence rates whether based on proportion of carcasses remaining or mean days to removal. Our approach also revealed detection errors that highlight the difficulty of finding and identifying the remains of dead animals, and which warrant routine reporting. Despite averaging only a 5‐day search interval on intensively grazed annual grasslands where ground visibility was usually high, our experienced fatality monitors averaged 4.3 searches/first carcass detection, failed to detect 25% of 75 species represented by placed carcasses, and misidentified carcasses to species among 44% of species detected. Estimates of time since death also suffered bias and large error. Our approach more realistically simulates carcass detection probabilities associated with fatality monitoring, is less costly, facilitates hypothesis testing, eliminates multiple sources of error and bias suspected of conventional methods, and enables quantification of errors in estimated time since death, species identifications, and false negative findings. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.

Long search intervals underestimate bird and bat fatalities caused by wind turbines

ABSTRACTBird and bat fatality estimates based on scientific monitoring are used to assess and compare impacts among wind energy projects. Fatality estimates are influenced by multiple factors, including variation in methodology. Variation in the interval between fatality searches exemplifies a monitoring decision that can potentially confound comparison of fatality estimates. A study at the Sand Hill portion of the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area, California, USA, provided the first opportunity to compare fatality‐rate estimates derived from 2 independent, experienced monitoring teams searching the same wind turbines at 2 different periodic intervals. Over 30 months of monitoring the same wind turbines, April 2012–October 2014, searches averaging 5‐day intervals detected 308 additional fatalities (of 431 fatalities total) representing 20 additional species (of 32 species total) compared with the searches averaging 39‐day intervals. Body mass explained most of the variation in discrepant fatality detections between the 2 search intervals, with the 39‐day interval searches detecting only 10% of the bats and birds of 10–40 g that were found by the 5‐day interval searches. The 39‐day search interval produced an estimate of annual bird fatalities/MW that was 39% lower than the estimate produced from the 5‐day search interval. The 39‐day search interval also resulted in many more species identification errors and greater errors in estimated time since death. The average search interval used in fatality monitoring strongly influences fatality estimates; long intervals can contribute to false impressions that wind projects have small or negligible effects on small birds and bats. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.

Golden Eagle fatalities and the continental-scale consequences of local wind-energy generation.

Renewable energy production is expanding rapidly despite mostly unknown environmental effects on wildlife and habitats. We used genetic and stable isotope data collected from Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) killed at the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area (APWRA) in California in demographic models to test hypotheses about the geographic extent and demographic consequences of fatalities caused by renewable energy facilities. Geospatial analyses of δ2 H values obtained from feathers showed that ≥25% of these APWRA-killed eagles were recent immigrants to the population, most from long distances away (>100 km). Data from nuclear genes indicated this subset of immigrant eagles was genetically similar to birds identified as locals from the δ2 H data. Demographic models implied that in the face of this mortality, the apparent stability of the local Golden Eagle population was maintained by continental-scale immigration. These analyses demonstrate that ecosystem management decisions concerning the effects of local-scale renewable energy can have continental-scale consequences.

Wind Energy Resource Assessment in Ngaoundere Locality

In order to secure future energy and protect the environment, it is important to consider the possibilities of wind as a resource for electrical energy supply. To carry out this study in Cameroon, we chose the locality of Ngaoundere, in which an assessment of the wind energy resource was made. Different kinds of data have been collected about climate, topography, and roughness. The Observed Wind Climate of the meteorological station has been made. The Wind Atlas and the resource grid have been calculated, especially in the high wind resource areas. Annual Energy Production of one hypothetical wind farm consisting of four 1.65 MW turbines was estimated using the Weibull-representative wind data for a total of 12 months. The computed Annual Energy Production is 5,985 MWh and according to the International Energy Agency statistics, this production could enable the reduction of CO2 emission by 1200 tons per year. It was found that there is a good correlation between our calculation results and those of the Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program (WAsP).

Off-grid community electrification projects based on wind and solar energies: A case study in Nicaragua

Despite various institutional efforts, about 22% of the total Nicaraguan population still do not have access to electricity. Due to the dispersed nature of many rural inhabitants, off-grid electrification systems that use renewable energy sources are a reliable and sustainable option to provide electricity to isolated communities. In this study, the design of an off-grid electrification project based on hybrid wind-photovoltaic systems in a rural community of Nicaragua is developed. Firstly the analysis of the location, energy and power demands of all users of the community is carried out. A detailed resource assessment is then developed by means of historical data, in-situ wind measurements and a specific micro-scale wind flow model. An optimization algorithm is utilized to support the design defining generation (number, type and location of generators, controllers, batteries and inverters) and distribution (electric networks) systems considering the detail of resource variations. The algorithm is modified in order to consider a long-term perspective and a sensitivity analysis is carried out considering different operation and maintenance costs’ scenarios. The proposed design configuration combines solar home systems, solar based microgrids and wind based microgrids in order to connect concentrated groups of users taking advantage of best wind resource areas.

The Potential of Wind Energy in Malaysian Renewable Energy Policy: Case Study in Kudat, Sabah

Recently, a study of wind energy potential at selected areas in Malaysia was completed by Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT). One of selected sites is at Kudat, Sabah. The wind atlas analysis and application Program (WAsP) was used to investigate the wind energy potential by developing the regional wind diagram in the considered site at Kudat. Different types of data have been collected about climate, topography, obstacles and surface roughness of the land. The observed wind climates (OWC) of the wind mast had been created. The wind atlas and the resource grid have been calculated and analyzed, especially in the high wind resource areas and using criteria based on proximity, similarity and ruggedness index (RIX). The 22kW rated power wind turbine was selected due to it's best capacity factor. Then, the annual energy production of wind farms were evaluated by taking the turbine wake losses into account. The obtained results showed that the optimal place for single units of wind energy production is located in the farm zone 2 with a potential varying from 37.5–43.1 MWh per year. In economic aspect, the predicted FiT rates in between RM0.30 and RM1.30 were tested by using net present value (NPV) and payback period (PBP) approach. Finally, the conducive FiT rates for wind projects with secured investment were identified, and the rates were in between RM0.46 and RM0.80 per kWh.

Wind Energy Resource Assessment of Henan Province

With the observation data of the whole year from November 2012 to October 2013 and results of numerical simulation, we do some research on the wind energy resources of Henan Province. Variation of wind energy resources is generally better in winter and spring, poor in summer and autumn. Diurnal variation of wind resources across different, but most good wind resource areas are located at higher elevations, and wind resource is generally better at daytime than night. Wind resources of Henan province is relatively limited, which can be technology developed are located in hills area and the mountain highlands of northern, central, western and southern part. Better resources are mainly located on hilltop and ridge.

Nesting burrowing owl density and abundance in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area, California

About 600 burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) are killed annually at wind turbines in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area (APWRA), California, USA. Understanding the biological significance of this toll requires population data, including an estimate of the number of breeding pairs in the APWRA. An empirical model of breeding density predicted 35–75 pairs within the 16,760 ha of the APWRA, but that prediction proved low in spring 2011, when we detected 78 breeding pairs of burrowing owls in 46 randomly selected plots totaling 2,563 ha. We estimated that 3.201 breeding pairs/km2 occupied the 46 plots we surveyed in April–May. Extrapolating this density to the area of the APWRA led to an estimate of 537 pairs (90% CI = 320–753 pairs) across the APWRA, or 10× the model prediction. Counts of chicks emerged from burrows averaged 1.2 chicks/nest on the 46 plots, but these counts were minimum numbers. We estimated the APWRA supported at least 1,836 burrowing owls in 2011 (90% CI = 1,082–2,590), indicating the local population could conceivably be the sole source of fatalities attributed to wind turbines in the APWRA. Measures to conserve burrowing owls in the APWRA could include ground squirrel conservation and repowering to safer wind turbine models and careful siting to avoid areas densely populated with burrowing owls. More generally, management decisions based on comparisons of breeding-pair density should also consider whether the density estimates were made in habitat fragments, sites selected for known high density, or in randomly or systematically selected plots sampling large areas, because the type of study area strongly influences the density estimate. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.

Challenges and opportunities for animal conservation from renewable energy development

[Extract] Global climate change is among the greatest threats confronting both human and natural systems (IPCC, 2007). A substantial component of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is from energy production, generated via the burning of fossil fuels, especially coal, natural gas and refined petroleum. Given that reduction in global energy consumption is unlikely over the next century or so, renewable energy generation has been proposed as a low-carbon alternative to limit GHG emissions. Consequently, many national and regional governments have set targets for renewable energy manufacture and use (e.g. '20% Wind Energy by 2030' – DoE, 2008; EU, 2009). Nevertheless, despite the benefits associated with reducing carbon emissions, renewable energy development itself has important, sometimes severe, implications for the conservation of biodiversity that should not be ignored. A central challenge and opportunity for animal conservation is to understand and manage environmental problems associated with the rapid growth in renewable energy production, while simultaneously maintaining progress toward reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Comparing bird and bat fatality‐rate estimates among North American wind‐energy projects

AbstractEstimates of bird and bat fatalities are often made at wind‐energy projects to assess impacts by comparing them with other fatality estimates. Many fatality estimates have been made across North America, but they have varied greatly in field and analytical methods, monitoring duration, and in the size and height of the wind turbines monitored for fatalities, and few benefited from scientific peer review. To improve comparability among estimates, I reviewed available reports of fatality monitoring at wind‐energy projects throughout North America, and I applied a common estimator and 3 adjustment factors to data collected from these reports. To adjust fatality estimates for proportions of carcasses not found during routine monitoring, I used national averages from hundreds of carcass placement trials intended to characterize scavenger removal and searcher detection rates, and I relied on patterns of carcass distance from wind turbines to develop an adjustment for variation in maximum search radius around wind turbines mounted on various tower heights. Adjusted fatality rates correlated inversely with wind‐turbine size for all raptors as a group across the United States, and for all birds as a group within the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area, California. I estimated 888,000 bat and 573,000 bird fatalities/year (including 83,000 raptor fatalities) at 51,630 megawatt (MW) of installed wind‐energy capacity in the United States in 2012. As wind energy continues to expand, there is urgent need to improve fatality monitoring methods, especially in the implementation of detection trials, which should be more realistically incorporated into routine monitoring. © 2013 The Wildlife Society