Wind and Wings: Applications of UV Painted Patterns on Wind Turbines

Abstract

Each year, hundreds of thousands of birds are killed by unknowingly flying into spinning wind turbine blades. While the issue of avian deaths is large itself, another problem arises; turbines will need to be shut down for potential maintenance, resulting in a loss of energy. An effective means to minimizing avian collision with turbine blades is to reduce the motion smear created. As avians have the capability to see UV, painting patterns on the blades with UV paint will reduce collisions & increase turbine visibility.

The study, Reduction of Motion Smear to Reduce Avian Collisions with Wind Turbines, was performed here at UMD by Dr. Hodos to determine the optimal pattern to paint on wind turbine blades to maximize avian visibility.

New wind turbine blades will be painted with UV paint using the ideal pattern to prevent avian collision. Existing turbines may be painted with the pattern, enhancing their environmental safety. Looking at the total cost of a wind turbine, this solution will only represent an increased 0.001% in cost.

The thin-stripe staggered, anti-motion-smear pattern had a visibility (µV above noise) of 2.7, which is the most visible tested. Comparatively, the blank blades had a visibility of 0.9. By using UV paint instead of black, the avian visibility increases further as avian photoreceptors are maximally sensitive to UV light; while it will appear invisible to the human eye, preventing distractions.

Calcium Sulfide is found in the UV paint, which is toxic to aquatic life. Further research should be performed to prevent the leaching of CaS into the watershed. Including the substitution of CaS with a nontoxic chemical & the durability of a chemical coating.