introduction

introduction

Next-generation environmental impact assessments.

Our bird radars are used at wind farms during both pre-construction and operational stages. 

Wind farms can impact birds in the following three main ways:

  1. Direct habitat loss through wind farm construction;
  2. Displacement through indirect loss of habitat should birds avoid the new wind farm area;
  3. Death by collision with the turbine blades. 

During pre-construction, our radars are used as a reliable and long-term measurement tool, gathering scientific data on bird movements in the area, as well as migration activity. They automatically detect and log hundreds of birds simultaneously, including their size, speed, direction and flight path.

Historically, this type of information would be gathered by human observers over one or more limited observation periods. But the long-term radar data generated by having avian radar present on-site, 24/7, is far more accurate and useful when it comes to your Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). 

The information on bird activity, based on radar data, is compared both pre- and –post construction to measure the true impact on the local and migratory bird population. 

And of course, unlike human observers, our radars don’t need to rest, and they can see in all weather, day or night.

2D Lite

2D Lite
Pulse
S-Band 3050MHz
Real-time position and track in 2D
30kW peak power output
1.3s track update rate
8km instrumented range

 

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3D Fixed

3D Fixed
Pulse
S-Band 3050MHz plus X-Band 9410MHz
Real-time position and track in (semi) 3D – in a fixed direction
60kW peak power output (S-Band) 25kW peak power output (X-Band)
1.3s track update rate
10km instrumented range (Horizontal) 6km instrumented range (Vertical)

 

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3D Flex

3D Flex
Pulse + FMCW
S-Band 3050MHz plus X-Band 9650MHz
Real-time position and track in (semi) 3D – in a configurable direction
60kW peak power output (S-Band) 400mW average power output (X-Band)
1.3s track update rate (Horizontal) - 3.0s track update rate (Vertical)
10km instrumented range (Horizontal) - 4.5km instrumented rage (Vertical)

 

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Max®

Max®
FMCW
X-Band 9650MHz
Real-time position and track in full 3D – in all directions all of the time
20W average power output
1.0s track update rate
15km instrumented range

 

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Automatic Shutdown

Did we mention we can help you reduce bird mortality with automatic turbine shutdown?

For operational wind farms, our radars can automatically switch turbines off and on again. And depending on the situation, we can do this for both single turbines and groups.

We fully understand the need to balance economy with ecology. And we can help you make sure that the one limits the impact on the other.

Our bird radars continuously measure the number of birds that enter a pre-set range from the wind turbines.  When this number crosses a specific threshold - and depending on other factors such as wind direction and strength, bird behaviour, time of the day and even the season - our system generates a shutdown command to either a group of turbines or individual turbines, depending on the local situation and user requirements.

Our bird radars are capable of detecting the start of overnight migration, also during adverse weather conditions. Based on the measured radar data, we generate a density grid and distinguish between single birds, local bird movements, and overnight mass migration.

After detecting an overnight mass migration event, our radar system can even shut the whole wind farm down automatically (in a controlled manner), if required.

And don’t worry. All commands can, of course, be overridden by an operator.

Cope With All Challenges

Offshore wind farm? You’ll be needing our offshore bird radar then.

For offshore wind farms, we’ve developed a specific configuration that can cope with the additional challenges that arise from being offshore.

First of all, our offshore bird radars have been designed with the harsh offshore situation in mind. So you can rest assured that they can cope with the salty wind farm environment. They can be deployed on the coast, on the distribution platform, and sometimes even on the turbines themselves.

Now sea clutter is, of course, a well-known concern when it comes to radar. Which is why we’ve made advanced modifications in both hardware and software to help overcome that specific challenge. Our aim is to give you the same outstanding bird monitoring offshore that you’d expect at your on-shore wind farms.

See how our bird radars reduce the environmental impact at wind farms

Interested in our radars for bird monitoring at wind farms?

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