When turbines at a new Tasmanian wind farm begin to turn they won’t just be generating electricity, but aiming to reduce the risk posed to a threatened Tasmanian bird species.
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Proponents of a new Central Highlands wind farm announced the technological trial on Tuesday, which would see a number of the towers fitted with cameras to detect and identify Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagles, shutting down a turbine if the bird’s speed and flight path showed a risk of collision.
Science and Technology Minister Michael Ferguson said the trial served as an example of how an innovative combination of hardware and software could solve real world problems in the community.
“The monitoring system is at the cutting edge of photographic and artificial intelligence technology, and it’s encouraging that installations in United States successfully identified 562 percent more birds than human observers,” Mr Ferguson said.
Wildlife biologist Nick Mooney said the move was a step in the right direction, though more could still be done.
“For some time they’ve been trying this with people, so when people see an eagle coming towards the wind farm they can attempt to slow down the turbine or stop them.”
“This is an automated and highly effective version of that.”
“That’s about detecting birds, but you’ve still got to slow the turbines enough – or preferably stop them – but that takes some time.”
He suggested GPS tracking data could also be helpful to see how the birds moved around and through the site.
The IdentiFlight technology can identify particular birds and shut down turbines if birds are at risk.
Goldwind, the Cattle Hill Wind Farm developer, said the IdentiFlight technology involved tower-mounted optical units which were designed to detect and photograph flying objects and, using algorithms, could identify them as eagles within seconds.
The company said 16 of the units would be installed at Cattle Hill and would be able to shut down any of the 48 turbines.
IdentiFlight president Tom Hiester said results from trials at US wind farms had shown its effectiveness in “mitigating impacts on the iconic bald and golden eagles”.
Goldwind managing director John Titchen said it would be the first wind farm in Australia to trial the technology.
The first wind turbine foundation, on the eastern shore of Lake Echo, is expected to be poured shortly.
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Matt Dennien
Matt Dennien is a journalist at The Examiner, based in Launceston. Contact him via email at matt.dennien@examiner.com.au, or more securely via Signal on +61 437 672 994.
Matt Dennien is a journalist at The Examiner, based in Launceston. Contact him via email at matt.dennien@examiner.com.au, or more securely via Signal on +61 437 672 994.
