Potential impacts of electric grid infrastructures on wild birds

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4. POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF ELECTRIC GRID

INFRASTRUCTURES ON WILD BIRDS

4.1 Introduction

The previous chapter provided a general overview of the types of potential effects to look out

for when developing energy infrastructure projects, particularly in and around Natura 2000

sites and in the vicinity of other sensitive areas used by species that are protected under the

two EU nature Directives.

This chapter concentrates on analysing the potential effects of electricity infrastructure on

wild European birds in particular. This is a subject that has received a lot of attention in

recent years and one where the effects may be more frequent and more significant than for

other types of terrestrial energy infrastructures.

4.2 Electric grid infrastructures

Unlike other commodities, electricity cannot be stored, so it needs to be produced and

transported to the users in real-time. The electrical transmission system is consequently

more complex and dynamic than other utility systems, such as water or natural gas. Once

electricity has been generated at a power facility, high-voltage (110 - 750 kV in Europe,

ENTSO, 2012) transmission lines carry large amounts of electricity across long distances to

substations. From substations medium-voltage (1 – 60 kV) and low-voltage (1 kV >)

distribution power lines carry electricity to residential and business consumers.

Figure 3 (USDA, 2009)