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BUSINESS NEWS NATIONAL RENEWABLE
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improve the coexistence of wildlife and wind turbines.” NREL’s ECO Wind program is focused on protecting vulnerable wildlife species while ensuring maintainable deployment of wind energy developments. Many experts hypothesize on the causes for bat mortalities at wind turbines with most suggesting an unexplained attraction to the structures for reasons such as roosting, mating, socializing and/or foraging. “Our understanding of these behaviors is still in its infancy and warrants further investigation through research programs like this,” added Weaver. Bowman will be teaming with Wildlife Imaging Systems, which provides advanced computer vision and machine learning solutions for the wildlife research community, to provide a comprehensive study to characterize bat flight patterns near wind turbines and investigate how various bat species behave in different geographic regions. Utilizing thermal video footage collected at the sites, the team will compare bat behavior and collision events at wind energy facilities in Minnesota and Texas.
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LABORATORY BOWMAN CONSULTING GROUP LTD. CONTRACT TO CONDUCT BAT BEHAVIOR STUDY Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. was awarded a contract by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to conduct research on how bat populations behave around wind turbines with the goal of understanding why bat mortalities occur to inform reduction strategies. With funding by the U.S. Department of Energy Wind Energy Technologies Office, the NREL Enabling Coexistence Options for Wind Energy and Wildlife program selected three companies to support the complex research project with each firm receiving a portion of a $1.1 million total research fund. “As the global human population continues to grow, so does our need for renewable energy sources like solar and wind energy,” states Bowman’s Natural Resources Team Lead and Ecologist Dr. Sara Weaver. “Unfortunately, when it comes to wind energy development, bat mortalities are an unforeseen consequence and of particular concern. The wind energy industry recognizes the importance of these unique animals and has been working toward solutions to AWARDS
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DATHAN GASKILL , from page 1
the stability of the balance sheet. Who among us cannot put $2 million dollars to work for the benefit of the company, its employees, and its customers? ■ Use profits and reserves to offset insurance costs. While building up reserves, firms can use the surplus to pay for insurance while having the added benefit of cash on-hand for greater stability in rocky times. ■ Use profits and reserves to reinvest in people or assets. Wellness programs, improved benefits for recruiting and retention, and internal company assets for customers and employees are just a few examples of what a strong cash position can do for your operations. There’s no time like the present. Committing to a risk management strategy will make your firm safer, more viable and resistant to adversity, and change cashflow and profit for the better. Working with an expert can get you past one-size-fits-all solutions and to a strategy that is designed specifically for your firm and its needs. Click here to learn more about Zweig Group’s risk management advisory services. Dathan Gaskill is managing director of Zweig Group Risk Solutions. Contact him at dgaskill@zweiggroup.com.
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THE ZWEIG LETTER OCTOBER 24, 2022, ISSUE 1462
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