A new study by the Federal Association of Offshore Wind Energy shows that migratory birds almost completely avoid wind turbines.
The association examined the actual collision risk in a coastal wind farm in northern Germany on behalf of its funding member companies.
According to BWO, the findings provide a solid basis for a nature-compatible expansion of offshore wind energy.
The researchers analysed more than four million bird movements over one and a half years, which according to BWO calls blanket shutdowns during heavy migration into question.
The study showed, according to the association, that more than 99.8% of day- and night-migrating birds avoided the turbines.
The investigation also found no correlation between migration intensity and collisions.
BWO said the combination of radar and AI-based cameras marks a methodological breakthrough with high accuracy in recording flight movements in the rotor plane.
“The new study shows that migratory birds avoid wind turbines. This confirms that the nature-compatible expansion of offshore wind energy works in harmony with these birds and not against them. With this research we want to make the discussion more objective, improve the data basis and make decisions based on facts,” said BWO managing director Stefan Thimm.
“We used state-of-the-art methods. AI-controlled stereo cameras determined flight activity in the rotor area, while a specialised bird radar recorded the migration activity. By comparing both data sets we were able to precisely calculate avoidance rates. In addition, we specifically searched for collision victims. This created a comprehensive picture of the actual collision risk of migratory birds at wind turbines,” said Dr Jorg Welcker, head of research and development at BioConsult SH GmbH & Co. KG.
The study was commissioned by the Federal Association of Offshore Wind Energy and initiated, coordinated and funded by DanTysk Sandbank, EnBW AG, Iberdrola, Orsted, RWE, Skyborn> Renewables, Vattenfall and WindMW GmbH.
It was carried out by the research and consulting company BioConsult SH.