Far from being batty or bird-brained, this technology quantifies the flight activity of birds and bats at remote locations targeted for offshore wind farm development.
Wind Energy Technologies Office
March 9, 2023
minute read time
ThermalTracker-3D. Photo:Shari Matzner | PNNL
Before offshore wind energy developers can begin developing and siting wind farms, they must first have solid data to support environmental permitting to protect birds and bats.
Enter the ThermalTracker-3D, a thermal stereo-vision technology developed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory engineers and supported by WETO that can quantify the flight activity of birds and bats at remote locations targeted for offshore wind farm development. The system is easily integrated with offshore platforms, such as buoys, substations, or turbines.