Artificial intelligence tech gets gong for stopping wind turbines hitting birds

German renewable research centre ZSW has been named an “AI Champion” for a system using artificial intelligence designed to prevent birds from colliding with wind turbines.

The Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg, or ZSW, was presented the award by the Baden-Württemberg ministry of economic affairs.

ZSW’s BirdRecorder uses a combination of artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect the species of approaching birds in time to calculate their expected flight path and shut down the necessary wind turbines to avoid collisions.

“The anti-collision system which we have developed is a key instrument in facilitating the required development of wind energy without coming into conflict with wildlife conservation groups,” said Anton Kaifel, who heads up the Artificial Intelligence team at the ZSW.

“We are delighted to receive the award. Our AI solution – the BirdRecorder – is important in the energy transition and is helping to accelerate change.”

Given that a wind turbine cannot simply come to an immediate halt, sufficient time to engage its turbine control system is necessary to safely put the wind turbine into coasting mode.

As soon as the identified bird leaves the intervention zone, the system receives a signal to resume normal operations.

Making the BirdRecorder all the more impressive is that it is able to detect a bird such as the red kite at distances of 700 metres allowing plenty of time to place the necessary turbines into coasting mode.

Originally tested in live conditions in 2022, BirdRecorder is set to be validated at some point this year by the Swiss Ornithological Institute.