Lasers Protect Birds and Prevent Large Electric Outages

Why do you live where you live? Is it close to where you earn your income that feeds your family? Is it a structurally sound building in a safe neighborhood?

These are the same reasons birds choose to nest inside electric substations. The steel beams and small hiding spots within electric substations offer sanctuary to small birds—such as blackbirds, crows, doves, magpies and ravens—from their predators: eagles and osprey. But birds can neither see electricity nor know that it makes substations a dangerous home.

In June, Benton REA installed a bird laser defense system at Ledbeder Substation in West Richland to protect native birds and prevent electrical outages caused by nesting on electrical equipment. This is the fourth Benton REA substation to house lasers in the West Richland and Plymouth areas. Lasers soon will be installed at substations in Prosser and Sunnyside.

“The lasers make our equipment a less desirable place for birds to perch,” says Joel Mietzner, system engineer for Benton REA.

The lasers sweep across specific areas of the substation, preventing birds from nesting there.

“They act like a big stick or a broom,” Joel says. “The birds see the lasers coming and get out of the way.”

Because the laser beam is always moving, it does not harm birds or disrupt their migratory and feeding patterns. Birds are safe to perch on the substation—if they don’t make contact with the ground and electrified equipment—but will not nest in a laser’s path. Birds perceive the laser beam to be a physical danger, even though it is not.

“We’ve tried every bird deterrent— spinners, diverters, screeching sounds, pneumatic cannons, bird pheromones— they didn’t work,” Joel says. “But we’ve had 99% success in the areas where the lasers cover.”