Standardization and Nature Conservation – Wind Energy onshore

Research question / project objectives

The project develops professionally sound recommendations for uniform standards for the nature-compatible expansion of onshore wind energy. When considering species protection law in planning and permitting procedures, the aim is to ensure a high level of protection for affected species alongside the intended simplification and acceleration. 

The focus includes, among other things, the assessment of disturbance to bird species, the handling of bird aggregations under the killing prohibition, the concretization of existing protection measures, rules for repowering projects, and shutdown concepts for bat protection. 

The results are intended to serve as a basis for future technical and legal regulations. The goal is to reduce existing uncertainties and obstacles in considering species protection law, facilitate implementation in practice, and thereby support faster and nature-compatible expansion of renewable energy. In the context of the project, current initiatives at EU level, in particular the so-called Omnibus Package VIII, must be taken into account.

Approach

To develop practical and professionally sound recommendations, existing expert proposals and guidelines, as well as findings from specialist literature, planning practice, and case law, are collected and evaluated. The topic areas "protective measures for bird species sensitive to wind energy" and "bat protection at wind turbines" are discussed and developed further in specialist workshops.