NewTech Challenge:
Avifauna detection and deterrence

Through its start-up programme PERSEOExternal link, opens in new window. and in collaboration with BAT B Accelerator Tower , Iberdrola is launching a new challenge seeking: 

• Fully autonomous, low-cost bird-detection system capable of detecting birds in the vicinity of wind turbines, continuously positioning them in three-dimensional space, generating flight trajectories and, in the event of a collision risk, sending a shutdown command to the wind farm Control Unit (UCC) so that the turbine can be stopped with sufficient advance notice before the bird reaches it.
• A deterrence system capable of altering a bird’s hazardous flight path without the need to stop wind turbines.

Proposals addressing only one of the systems described above will be accepted, as well as solutions that integrate both technologies into a single approach.

For the evaluation of proposals, a set of mandatory requirements has been established. These requirements are based on the experience gained over the last eight years with bird-protection systems and the operational realities of the wind power business.

• The system must be “low cost” compared with existing market solutions and annual maintenance costs must also be economical.
• It must operate in 3D, continuously positioning birds in space.
• The system must be easy to calibrate and configure in the field.
• It must include an on-site visualisation interface capable of displaying flight trajectories.
• It must include a private web application for storing bird trajectories, photographs and videos, and for carrying out searches and forensic analysis in the event of bird collisions.
• For camera-based systems, species recognition may be included based on captured images or videos. Identification must be carried out at species level (for example, red kite) rather than genus level (kite).
• The systems must be capable of detecting birds at a sufficient distance from wind turbines to allow a controlled shutdown, which must never rely on the emergency brake.
• The birds to be detected will have wingspans ranging from approximately 0.6 metres to 2.5 metres. If detection below 0.6 metres is not possible, the detection limits must be specified.
• Equipment must be designed for permanent outdoor installation.
• Connection to Iberdrola facilities must be included. All signals must comply with Iberdrola cybersecurity protocols.
• Any turbine shutdown must be carried out through Iberdrola's UCC.
• Equipment should preferably be installed on existing infrastructure (for example, on wind turbine towers and never welded to them). External poles or towers should be avoided wherever possible as they require additional cabling routes and may create new impacts for landowners.
• Any proposed deterrence systems must be respectful of birdlife and local conditions at wind farm sites and must comply with applicable legislation.
• The system must be supported by a parallel calibration methodology, defined by the bidder, capable of determining bird-detection rates at different distances, deterrence effectiveness and, where applicable, species identification accuracy rates.

Among the proposals considered, the following attributes will be essential:

• Maturity and reliability of the solution.
• Optimisation of capital and operating costs.
• Implementation costs and staffing requirements.
• Ease of deployment, operation and minimal training needs.
• Minimisation of bird-related turbine shutdowns.
• Respect for birdlife.
• Compliance with health, safety and environmental (HSE) standards.