Seabirds Beware! AI Technology Tracks Flight Paths Near Wind Turbines in Scotland
A groundbreaking collaboration between Vattenfall, Norwegian AI technology start-up Spoor, and the British Trust for Ornithology is set to revolutionize the way we understand seabird behavior around wind turbines. With the installation of four cameras at the Aberdeen Bay Offshore Wind Farm, this project aims to use AI technology to track the 3D flight paths of seabirds and study their interactions with the turbine blades.
Spoor’s AI technology, which accurately identifies and tracks birds, has already shown promise in its development. It has no blind spots and is more cost-effective than alternatives, making it an ideal candidate for this groundbreaking research. The project’s ultimate goal is to gain insights into bird flight patterns and behavior and potentially detect collisions.
The trial at Vattenfall’s Aberdeen Bay Offshore Wind Farm is expected to be completed in June 2024, with the findings to be announced then. The British Trust for Ornithology has been commissioned to independently validate the trial, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data collected.
A stakeholder advisory panel, consisting of experts from organizations such as the RSPB and NatureScot, is providing advice and input throughout the project. This collaboration ensures that the development of offshore wind farms takes into account the conservation of seabird populations, which are already facing significant declines due to climate change and other pressures.
This project builds upon Vattenfall’s previous research using radar and camera technology to study seabird flight behavior. The findings from that study, conducted at the EOWDC offshore wind farm, revealed no collisions or near-misses with the wind turbines. It is a promising indication that offshore wind farms can coexist with and even benefit the conservation of seabirds.
The importance of this research cannot be understated. Offshore wind farms are integral to our efforts in combating climate change, but we must ensure that they do not add to the challenges faced by vulnerable seabird populations. By collecting high-quality data and using advanced AI technology, we can strike a balance between renewable energy production and the preservation of our precious wildlife.
What do you think about this groundbreaking project? Can wind turbines and seabirds peacefully coexist offshore? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
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