Short description

The basic idea behind WT-Bird is that collisions cause vibrations in the wind turbine structure, e.g. in the blades or the tower, that can be measured by acoustical vibration sensors. These raw measurements are processed in order to cancel out any disturbances, such as turbine operational noise, that may cause false trigger events.

In case of a collision a trigger event is generated, causing that:

- the collision is registered (date-time, location, classification of event, count nr., …);

- the video images before and after the collision are stored;

- the sound recordings before and after the collision are stored;

- an e-mail message is sent to the remote operator together with all data above.

The operator has to analyze the video and audio recordings in order to:

- check whether a collision took place or not, in case of doubt;

- identify species;

- analyze the collision mechanism, e.g. blade position, bird movement before collision;

- take notice of special circumstances, e.g. weather, other birds passing, etc.

Main technical features

Other available system features are:

- independent operation from wind farm, except for 230V mains connection and network connection to shore;

- robust for short power interruptions;

- possibility to add functionality to monitor other events, such as lightning strikes, visible and audible damage, intruders or bird movements;

- frequent self-checks and automatic logging of all starts and stops, so that the availability over a long period of time is known exactly;

- modular set-up using standardized digital network communication, so that the type, number and location of vibration sensors and cameras can be adjusted to the needs of the application;

- only standard industrial components are used (proven technology). 

Related documents

•  Publications WT-Bird Status 20181204.pdf
•  WT bird BUWA_ECN.pdf

Image gallery

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Type of partner sought

Tasks to be performed by the partner you are looking for.

Become co-owner of the technology

Commercially develop the WT bird

Provide long term operational bird collision data for validation of the system