Ecowende Teams Up for Avian-Friendly Offshore Wind Monitoring

Ecowende, a joint venture of Shell, Chubu, and Eneco, has joined forces with Robin Radar Systems, MIDO, and DHI to revolutionize the monitoring of birds and bat populations in offshore wind farms. 

This initiative will minimise the ecological impact of offshore wind farms on birds, bats, and marine life, while fostering a thriving underwater ecosystem. By integrating cutting-edge technologies from Robin Radar Systems, MIDO, and DHI, Ecowende aims to set a new industry standard for environmentally responsible wind farm operation.

Robin Radar's MAX® bird and bat radar systems will be deployed alongside DHI's innovative MUSE solution, which leverages artificial intelligence for species recognition. Additionally, MIDO's FLORA 1 floating platform, powered by a combination of wave, solar, and battery storage technologies, will provide an ideal base for data collection and analysis.

According to Sibylle Giraud, VP Wind and Environmental Practice at Robin Radar, Ecowende's commitment to innovation aligns perfectly with the industry's collective drive to protect wildlife while advancing the green energy transition. "There’s a real determination to keep finding new ways to protect wildlife while helping the green transition. We share that passion, and like us, Ecowende will break ground and take risks to make essential technologies scalable and sustainable. We're delighted to accompany them on this fantastic project, we'll deploy no less than four flagship radars, including our first-ever MAX® on a floating platform," Giraud said.

The integration of these technologies will enable comprehensive data collection, even in adverse weather conditions, facilitating real-time analysis and strategic decision-making. This enhanced understanding of bird behavior will inform proactive measures to mitigate collision risks, including the implementation of shut-down-on-demand protocols.

Francisco Garcia, CEO of MIDO, lauds the collaborative spirit of the project, emphasizing the synergy between energy and sensor technologies. "The project’s innovation challenges have brought the very best out of the partners, including MIDO. In our case we’ve had to continually question the possible problems and constantly iterate, learn and optimise the design to achieve system unanimity. We’re building something almost dream-like together by combining energy and sensor technologies. We call it “A match made in Holland," said Garcia.

By pairing Robin Radar's radar systems with DHI's MUSE solution, Ecowende aims to automate data collection and species identification, further streamlining conservation efforts. DHI's AI algorithms will enable the identification and protection of priority bird and bat species, contributing to the sustainable operation of offshore wind farms.

In addition to technological advancements, Ecowende is committed to advancing scientific knowledge through collaboration with research institutions. Marin van Regteren, Marine Ecologist at Ecowende, underlines the importance of filling knowledge gaps to drive continuous improvement and support future wind farm developments.