Best practice guide. Innovative solution to reduce bird mortality in medium-voltage power lines: the Horizontal Eco Cross Arms

Abstract

Estimates indicate that tens of thousands of birds are killed in Portugal every year by collision with cables or electrocution on the utility poles of medium-voltage power lines. Some studies indicate that this effect led to the local decline of several threatened species, such as the Bonelli’s eagle or the little bustard. The severity of such impact justified the search of solutions to minimize the risk of bird mortality in power lines. This guide aims to disclose an innovative solution to reduce bird mortality by collision and electrocution in medium-voltage power lines – the Horizontal Eco Cross Arms (ECO-HAL A25). This structure was implemented for the first time in the framework of the LIFE LINES project (LIFE14 NAT/PT/001081), coordinated by University of Évora, in close partnership with QUERCUS – A.N.C.N., responsible for the evaluation and monitoring of the impacts of power lines on avifauna, and with EDP Distribuição (now E-REDES -Distribuição de Eletricidade, SA), responsible for the management and maintenance of the infrastructures of medium-voltage electric power distribution. The primary objective of this guide is to present the characteristics and technical requirements of this structure, as well as the effectiveness and cost-benefit of its implementation in the structure of the electric poles, based on the analysis of the results obtained during the LIFE LINES project. It is thus intended to contribute with an effective alternative for mitigation of bird mortality in medium-voltage power lines, by making it known to the various agencies dealing with electric power distribution, the public authorities concerned with nature conservation, and associations engaged in environmental protection.