TCU, Oxford work with FPL on study

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 20 (UPI) -- Texas Christian University announced its participation in a joint study on wind.

TCU along with FPL Energy LLC, a subsidiary of FPL Group Inc., and Oxford University announced the partnership and research initiative to better understand the ecological and socioeconomic impacts of wind power development.

The five-year research initiative includes three primary focus areas. The team will look at wind turbine impact on birds and bats, wind turbine ecological impacts and socioeconomic impacts of wind projects more in depth.

The avian and bat impact assessment is expected to produce a better understanding of the interactions between birds and bats and wind turbines. The ecological and climate research team will conduct a carbon analysis to assess the extent to which wind energy reduces atmospheric carbon. The study will also measure direct and indirect socioeconomic impacts of wind projects through land use revenue, taxes and employment.

TCU's Institute for Environmental Studies and Oxford University's Environmental Change Institute will coordinate the research and the project will be funded by FPL Energy. Field research will be conducted at FPL Energy's wind farm locations across the United States.

The research partners industry will use their information to conduct responsible development of wind generation and transmission of energy.