Method for controlling a wind power installation so as to protect birds and bats

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a wind power installation which has a rotor having rotor blades that are adjustable in terms of their blade angle, and having a rotor diameter, wherein the rotor is able to be operated at a variable rotor rotating speed; and a region in which the rotor blades move forms a danger zone for birds and bats, the method comprising the following steps: checking whether a bird or bat approaching the wind power installation is an endangered bird and if an endangered bird has been identified, detecting a bird position as the current position of the endangered bird identified; and controlling the rotor rotating speed as a function of the bird position in relation to the wind power installation; wherein the rotor rotating speed is reduced in multiple stages or continuously as the distance of the bird position from the wind power installation decreases. The invention is intended to propose a solution in which a wind power installation poses the lowest possible risk to endangered species of birds and bats while at the same time offering the best possible yield. The intention is to at least propose an alternative to the solutions known to date.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.