Vattenfall, a Swedish developer, is embarking on a pioneering study aimed at improving the count of bird casualties in offshore wind farms by utilizing advanced camera technology. The initiative, set to take place at the Hollandse Kust wind farm in the Netherlands, marks a significant step towards enhancing understanding of the impact of turbines on bird populations.
Currently, theoretical models are employed to estimate bird fatalities in offshore wind farms. However, there is a dearth of actual observations to validate these models, primarily due to the challenges of retrieving carcasses that fall into the sea and drift away.
Recognizing the need for more accurate monitoring methods, Vattenfall plans to deploy cameras offshore for the first time. These thermal cameras, equipped with artificial intelligence (AI), will be installed on one of the turbines at the Hollandse Kust Zuid wind farm, covering all angles to detect falling objects.
Jesper Kyed Larsen, bioscience expert at Vattenfall, emphasized the potential benefits of the study, stating, “It will greatly benefit both the wind industry and nature conservation to better understand the impact that turbines have on bird populations.”
The thermal cameras, operational round-the-clock, utilize AI to detect falling objects and special software to extract relevant images, even during adverse weather conditions such as rain or fog. They have the capability to spot small birds up to a distance of about 120 meters and large birds up to 300 meters.
Wildlife Imaging Systems provides the camera and AI solution, with installation handled by Circle Consult Aps. The study, conducted in collaboration with Wageningen Environmental Research, will span over a year, focusing on the autumn and spring migration periods.
Vattenfall's initiative aligns with ongoing efforts in the Netherlands to mitigate bird fatalities, including the implementation of the Stop-start protocol, which halts turbine operations during periods of high bird migration.
