Radar aims to bring wind power and bats into better harmony
A trial near Eemshaven tracks bats with multiple sensors and aims to shut down turbines more selectively.
.jpg){kind=link}
TNO, Dopplium and RWE are testing a radar system at the Westereems wind farm in Eemshaven that detects bats in real time. The aim is to stop turbines only when bats are actually in the danger zone.
Wind turbines are currently regularly stopped as a precaution during periods when the weather indicates increased bat activity. According to TNO, such a general measure can reduce energy production, while it is not certain that bats are flying around the rotor at every moment.
The BatGuardian system uses three compact radar units around a turbine. Together, TNO says, they cover 360 degrees of the airspace. The radar is supplemented by thermal-imaging cameras, ultrasonic microphones, acoustic monitoring and panoramic cameras.
The combination should make it possible to compare different signals. Thermal images can visually support a radar observation, while microphones capture echolocation sounds. TNO describes the trial as a way to measure more accurately which species fly around a turbine, when and at what height.
The Turbine Bat Trace project began on 1 January 2026 with support from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). The radar technology stems from research by Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). The current publications describe the installation and research design, but do not yet contain definitive results on reduced bat mortality.
Nature regulations remain in force in the meantime. RVO writes that developers must carry out research and follow the bat protocol when bats may be affected. Bats are covered by protection rules, meaning that granting permits requires not only a technical but also an ecological assessment.
The trial aims to combine two interests more effectively: more wind energy and the protection of biodiversity. Whether targeted shutdowns are reliable enough in practice will have to emerge from measurements over two active bat seasons. TNO also mentions possible application to offshore wind, where detection at greater distances is more complicated.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- A radar system and additional sensors are being tested at a wind farm in Eemshaven.
- The trial aims to detect bats more selectively than general shutdowns based on weather conditions.
- The technology has not yet been validated as a definitive solution.
- Wind energy projects must take protected nature and bats into account.
Left
Arguments The energy transition must not come at the expense of species protection. New wind projects must demonstrably be nature-friendly, even if that means turbines standing still more often or for longer and energy yields being lost.
Values Biodiversity, precaution, ecological justice and the protection of vulnerable species.
Consequences Permits may become stricter and projects more expensive, but the impact on nature will be less easily treated as a residual concern.
Centre
Arguments Measuring is better than choosing between unlimited wind growth and broad shutdowns. Targeted shutdowns can create room for wind energy, provided independent validation shows that bats are genuinely protected.
Values Evidence-based policy, feasibility, proportionality and reliable permitting.
Consequences The sector may gain a workable compromise, but it must share transparent data and continue testing the method.
Right
Arguments The Netherlands needs more renewable energy and must prevent generic rules from unnecessarily shutting down wind farms. If technology can measure risks more precisely, the government should make room for innovation instead of imposing additional general restrictions.
Values Energy security, economic efficiency, innovation and limited regulatory pressure.
Consequences Higher production and lower costs are possible, but overly rapid implementation could lead to ecological damage being underestimated.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The text distinguishes the measured installation from the as-yet unproven future effects. The legal context was checked with RVO.
- confirmed TNO, Dopplium and RWE are testing a radar system at Windpark Westereems in Eemshaven. — Reported by TNO. source
- confirmed BatGuardian uses three radar units with 360-degree coverage. — Described by TNO. source
- confirmed The system is combined with thermal-imaging cameras and acoustic sensors. — Described by TNO. source
- confirmed Turbine Bat Trace began on 1 January 2026 with support from RVO. — Reported by TNO and Dopplium. source
- uncertain The technology has already demonstrably reduced bat mortality. — The public sources describe a trial, not a completed impact assessment. source
- confirmed When bats may be affected, developers must follow the bat protocol. — Mentioned by RVO. source
Editor's note
The installation, parties involved and measurement method have been confirmed. The technology is still in a trial and validation phase; there is no evidence yet that it demonstrably reduces bat mortality.Sources
- Slimme radar beschermt vleermuizen bij windpark Eemshaven — TNO
- Hoe beschermt u de natuur bij een windturbine? — Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland
- Dopplium ontvangt NWO Take-off Phase 1-subsidie voor BatGuardian — Dopplium