Investigation on the Impacts of Smart Curtailment for Bat Fatality Mitigation in Alberta

Abstract. As wind energy continues to expand in Canada, it is increasingly important to balance power generation with wildlife conservation. For migratory bat species, the risk of interactions with wind turbines varies throughout the year. In response to environmental conditions, curtailing turbine operation during periods of higher risk has been shown to reduce bat fatalities. This study models seasonal turbine curtailment scenarios across wind farms in the Canadian province of Alberta to estimate the resulting energy and economic impacts. High-resolution weather data were used to reconstruct complete wind speed records and simulate turbine output. The modeled power output was closely aligned with real production data reported by the province's energy operator. Results indicate that curtailment outcomes vary significantly depending on wind speed thresholds, seasonal wind conditions, and curtailment duration. Across all scenarios, smart curtailment reduced energy and financial losses by 20–40 % compared to blanket curtailment, highlighting the benefits of using meteorological and behavioral triggers. These findings provide practical insights for minimizing energy loss while supporting conservation goals.