One of the biggest disadvantages of wind energy is that it kills bats and other avian creatures when they collide on the large blades of wind turbines. Researchers from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are currently working on a thermal imaging software that can help protect birds and bats around offshore wind turbines. The open-source software ThermalTracker is designed to identify birds and bats from video footages recorded during the night. This technology is expected to aid authorities and developers to assess the suitability of an offshore location for erecting wind turbines.
How ThermalTracker could protect avian wildlife from wind turbines
Producing clean energy through the use of wind turbines brings about numerous advantages in terms of sustainability, employment, and economic benefits. However, the large blades of wind turbines are notorious for inflicting death to many avian creatures. An estimated 300,000 birds die each year due to wind turbine collisions. And although it’s a small fraction that contributes to the overall causes of bird deaths around the world, it’s still a significant environmental issue that needs to be addressed. Researchers from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is currently developing a software they refer to as ThermalTracker. The open-source software uses the same night vision technology that soldiers use to see in the dark. ThermalTracker is designed to automatically detect birds and bats in a thermal video as they are often too difficult to monitor and track in offshore locations.
Shari Matzner, a PNNL engineer and team leader of the ThermalTracker development project, noted that the night vision software technology is specifically beneficial for the wind farming industry.
“ThermalTracker can help developers and regulators make informed decisions about siting and operating offshore wind projects. We need scientific tools like this to better understand how offshore wind turbines can coexist with birds and bats”.
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