Posters

Abstract

This abstract presents a case study demonstrating how to effectively reduce avian losses associated with the operation of a wind farm. The study is based on an analysis of the layout, the characteristics of the bird detection system (BDS), and avian habits as described in a detailed environmental study. Wind farms are often located in migration corridors, which exposes birds to a high risk of collisions with turbines. To preserve avian populations, it is crucial to avoid these collisions, which often leads to turbine shutdowns and, consequently, production losses. The assessment of avian losses relies on critical data, including: * A detailed environmental study that includes the types of birds, their flying height and speed, migratory behavior, seasonal activity, and the area of the study site. * The characteristics of the BDS used, which includes detection, frightening, and turbine shutdown capabilities, detection range, and shutdown thresholds. * The arrangement of the wind farm, including layout configuration, turbine diameter, and the durations of shutdowns and restarts. Identified optimization avenues demonstrate that avian loss estimates are often overestimated and can be recalibrated mathematically using all the parameters above. It is also possible to reduce losses by aligning the migratory direction of birds with the configuration of the wind farm when feasible. The case study presented illustrates the application of these optimizations, significantly reducing the initially estimated avian losses and thereby offering a more precise and effective approach to managing avian risk in wind farms.