Norwegian researchers are at present creating wind generators that may adapt their blade rotation speeds to forestall chook strikes.
Gemini News
[By Svein Inge Meland]
Sound indicators, lights, portray the rotor blades, and fast shutdowns have all been tried in an try to cut back chook mortality.
But researchers Paula B. Garcia Rosa and John Olav Tande at SINTEF are at present engaged on a brand new idea – involving generators that adapt to chook behaviour, somewhat than the opposite method round.
What occurs when a chook approaches an ‘adaptable’ wind turbine?
“As the bird approaches, it is identified using cameras and bird radar systems mounted on the turbine”, says Garcia Rosa. “This identification has to take place at least five seconds, or at a distance of at least 100 to 200 metres, before collision with the rotor blades”, she explains.
Paula B. Garcia Rosa is a Research Scientist at SINTEF, working within the subject of eco-friendly power.
“Software is used to calculate the most probable trajectory of the bird. If there is a danger of collision, it sends control signals that trigger a small adjustment in the blade rotation velocity. This is achieved by adjusting the generator moment and blade twist”, explains Garcia Rosa.
To date, the researchers have solely succeeded in performing numerical simulations of their technique, though their outcomes point out that 4 out of 5 collisions may be prevented.
Of course, it’s not doable to do something about potential collisions with the rotor head, or about conditions wherein a chook approaches a turbine from the facet or alongside the airplane by way of which the blades are chopping by way of the air.
The expertise has been given the title SKARV and has already been patented.
Researchers consider that the brand new expertise can scale back collisions by as much as 80 %. Illustration courtesy of SINTEF.
Predicting a chook’s flight trajectory
“It’s difficult to predict a bird’s flight trajectory, and the new system will not resolve this problem entirely”, says Garcia Rosa. “For example, if a young, inexperienced bird approaches a turbine displaying irregular flight behaviour, it will not be possible to predict exactly where it will be a few seconds later. Prediction is also more difficult if several birds approach at the same time”, she says.
The researchers supply another answer within the case of an approaching flock of birds. This entails emergency shutdown of the turbine.
It might take 15 to twenty seconds for a ten MW turbine to stop rotation from its normal velocity. Wind generators are hardly ever put in in isolation, and the chance of collision will increase when birds need to navigate by way of intensive wind farms.
Up to 80 per cent fewer deaths
“On the basis of our simulations, we believe that the SKARV project can help to reduce the number of fatal collisions by up to 80 percent”, says Garcia Rosa. “The next step is to further develop existing strategies for controlling blade rotation speeds and to integrate these with methods for identifying bird flight trajectories”, she says.
“Then we will be looking to implement a practical demonstration”, provides Garcia Rosa. “We believe that the SKARV technology could be commercially available within five years, and perhaps even earlier if we see sufficient interest from the industry”, she says.
The expertise may be tailored to all wind generators that function with variable and controllable blade rotation speeds.
Too little information on chook mortality
“SKARV is a promising technology, but as yet we know too little about how effective it will be in practice”, says Roel May, who’s a Senior Research Scientist on the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA).
According to May, chook mortality ensuing from collisions with wind generators is regarded globally as a significant downside. Seabirds and birds of prey are particularly in danger.
A white-tailed eagle killed after collision with a wind turbine. Photo: Roel May
“In Norway, detailed research has been carried out only on the island of Smøla”, says May. “Here, between six and eight white-tailed eagles are killed by wind generators annually. Willow grouse additionally incur main losses. The downside is biggest for species which are few in quantity and which produce few young annually.
May is eager to stress the necessity for a hierarchy of measures for the prevention of chook deaths.
No wind farms in delicate areas
The most essential motion could be to put in wind farms solely in areas the place it’s doubtless they are going to do the least hurt. As effectively as inflicting chook deaths resulting from collisions, wind farms additionally contribute to habitat loss.
The subsequent step is to minimise chook losses at present wind farm areas. On Smøla, NINA has painted rotor blades black and has subsequently recorded a major discount in eagle mortality. The SKARV expertise additionally goals to cut back chook losses.
After having diminished these unfavorable impacts, compensatory measures, akin to habitat restoration at different areas, must be thought of.
This article seems courtesy of Gemini.no and could also be present in its authentic kind here.
The opinions expressed herein are the writer’s and never essentially these of The Maritime Executive.
