Wind Energy Monitoring and Mitigation Technologies Tool

SPACEWHALE detects whales from VHR satellite imagery by merging deep learning assets with the knowledge of biologists. The technology offers abundance estimates for large whales on a per-survey basis, distribution maps of target species in ESRI-compatible raster formats, and bespoke analyses to help guide conservation and advanced ecological studies.

Spoor´s software aims to use computer vision and AI to detect, track, and classify birds in wind farms to help developers and operators gain insights and guide mitigation measures. Spoor is intended to help developers to improve understanding of how birds behave while travelling in the vicinity of wind farms.

The BCAS Wind is a fully automated detection and deterrence solution for on- and off-shore wind turbines. With long range detection and deterrence capabilities, the system minimizes WTG stoppages providing fewer interruptions to operation and power generation. The system operates 24/7 without any operator input and functions in all weather conditions. The system uses a variety of sensors including a thermal imaging camera and an acoustic module.

The ThermalTracker-3D system records the flight tracks of birds and bats around offshore wind turbines. A pair of thermal video cameras sense movement of animals and objects, day and night, and stereo-vision processing transforms the recorded motion tracks into three dimensions. Real-time processing reduces data storage and bandwidth requirements. For floating applications, the ThermalTracker-3D may require camera stabilization to compensate for wave motion.

ThruTracker is a software platform developed for video-based automated animal tracking. The software aims to use time synchronized video from two or more cameras to detect moving objects (such as birds, bats, or insects) within a stationary background. The system can be used for 2 dimensional analysis with a single video feed.

The TRITON is an Autonomous Underwater and Surface Vehicle (AUSV). It can sail and submerge autonomously to collect data both above and below the ocean’s surface. Powered by the sun and wind, the TRITON can be used for extended deployments. The optional payloads include advanced modal communications for high bandwidth data transfer in remote areas as well as obstacle avoidance software/hardware to ensure autonomous reactions to unexpected mission complications. The TRITON provides live water chemistry reads, animal tracking, habitat monitoring, weather observation, seabed mapping, and more.

Turbine Integrated Mortality Reduction (TIMR) is a detection-based curtailment system which aims to reduce bat-turbine collisions and economic losses to curtailment. The TIMR system is composed of sound detection hardware (ReBAT®) and software (TIMR server) which uses acoustic and meteorological data to calculate the risk of bat collisions. The TIMR smart curtailment system is an alternative to blanket curtailment as it only curtails when bat echolocation calls are detected.

The Ultrasonic Blade-mounted Deterrent is an adaptation of the dog whistle which generates high-intensity ultrasonic sound with the aim of deterring bats from flying into the rotor swept zone of an operational wind turbine. The deterrent operates passively using air traveling over the turbine blades on which it is mounted.

The GE ultrasonic deterrent system aims to reduce the number of bats from flying into the rotor swept zone of an operational wind turbine by producing broad-band sound in a frequency audible to most bat species (30-100 kHz). Compressed air moving through ultrasonic nozzles positioned on the tower of a wind turbine generates the ultrasonic deterrent sound.

VESPER Fixed-Beam Vertical Profile Radar works to provide species differentiation and identification of birds, insects, and bats based on measurement of wingbeat frequency as they pass through the beam. The VESPER system is capable of being operated independently or in concert with a MERLIN bird radar system to provide specific data on the type of target that has been detected, (i.e. bird, bat or insect) and allows inclusion/measurement of insect data.

DeTect has discontinued this product but uses aspects of the technology in the current MERLIN Radar.

The Visual Automatic Recording System (VARS) is a camera-based system developed for the detection of flying birds in the rotor-swept zone of offshore wind turbines. The system consists of two motion-controlled infrared cameras which intend to automatically record flying birds and a software system to detect birds and process imagery.

The Saildrone Voyager, currently in development, is a 33-foot USV equipped with a set of metocean sensors and a continuous wave LiDAR. Saildrone’s passive acoustics, optical cameras, and advanced machine learning algorithms deliver real-time detection of anything in the vicinity of offshore wind farms—including commercial and recreational boats or other vessels that may choose not to transmit their position, as well identifying natural visitors like whales, seabirds, and bats to support environmental impact mitigation strategies.

The Liquid Robotics SV3-v300 Wave Glider is long-duration, zero-carbon (wave and solar powered), industry-proven marine surface platform. It is used for many kinds of monitoring – acoustics (passive and active), surface data, water column data, surface conditions (full METOC – meteorological and oceanic), video/photo data, infrared, etc.

Wildlife Imaging Systems aims to improve wildlife monitoring and mortality assessments around operational wind turbines with automated artificial intelligence software paired with commercially available camera systems. The concept is to use three thermal cameras to monitor the airspace around the wind turbine, two cameras dedicated to monitoring wildlife mortality that falls to the ground and one camera dedicated to quantifying the activity in the turbine rotor swept area. The system software was developed to count and track wildlife flight paths.

The Wind Turbine Obstruction Lighting system employs lights of FAA Type L-864 with the intent of deterring bats and birds from flying into the rotor swept zone of an operational wind turbine. Lights are pulsed at a rate of 30FPM and positioned so as to be visible from all directions as recommended by BOEM with the goal of reducing avian collision risk.

The Wind Turbine Sensor Unit for Monitoring of Avian & Bat Collisions aims to detect the impact of an avian collision with the blades of an operational wind turbine. The sensor unit is triggered on impact and is composed of accelerometers, microphones (contact and bioacoustic). Cameras (infrared and visual) installed on each blade will save a number of images before and after the event for impact confirmation and specie recognition.

WT-Bird is a collision detection system which intends to detect and record avian collisions with wind turbine blades. The system uses sound processing software and microphones in the turbine blades with the intent of identifying collisions. Video recordings of identified collisions are stored for analysis.