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Description
It is expected that along with the development of offshore wind energy projects, their cumulative environmental impacts will increase. That will require measures minimizing the negative impact of offshore wind farms on migrating birds. The project aims at commercializing a service of research of migrating birds, which involves studies of bird flight at higher sea levels, and will provide information on the number of bird flights at ceilings of <20 m. Measurements of migratory bird flights, collected by means of a stabilized ornithological radar, will be the basis for calculations of the predicted bird mortality around wind farms. Therefore, our service of studying the flights of migratory birds will bring environmental benefits in the form of reduced collisions of birds with offshore wind turbines, and financial benefits consisting in optimizing wind turbine shutdown times only to periods of increased risk of bird collisions with such wind turbines.
Until now detection studies at higher sea levels could not be achieved in that scope, and the project innovation stems from stabilizing bird radars. The stabilizing platform, together with a structure connecting the platform to the radar system, will be designed and constructed by the Norwegian project partner, STABLE AS, that will also test the sea swell compensation of the stabilized ornithological radar in close-to-natural conditions. When the stabilized radar unit is ready, it will be tested by an independent research institute.
Summary of project results
As part of the 3Bird project, he commercialized a migratory bird flight survey service that enables the connection of birds at sea and provides information on subsequent flights of birds on traps <20 m. Measurements of migratory birds, collected by a stabilized ornithological radar, a unit in the event of expected bird mortality near wind farms. The stabilization platform with a cable structure platform with a radar system was launched and built by the Norwegian project partner, STABLE AS, which also checked the compensation of sea waves by the stabilized ornithological radar in conditions close to natural ones. The project also includes testing of a stabilized radar unit by a Polish research institute and the purchase of: ornithological radars, vehicles for transporting radars and their transport elements, electronic radar elements, a two-axle trailer for transporting transmitting and receiving antennas with waveform units. access, as part of the project, a design and platform for stabilizing ornithological radars and a connection to the platform with the radar system were developed. Access to an innovative service using stabilized marine platforms with access to radar measurement of migratory birds.
As a result of the project implementation, the assumed indicators were achieved. An innovative service and technological solutions were introduced to the market thanks to enhanced cooperation with a Norwegian company and a reduction of economic and social inequalities within the European Economic Area. As part of the project, a design was developed and a platform for stabilizing ornithological radars and a structure connecting the platform with the radar system were constructed. Additionally, innovative integrated technology of stabilized marine platforms with radar measurement technology of migratory birds was used.
Currently, the company offers a service not yet offered by any entity in the industry, i.e. research on migrating birds using a stabilized ornithological radar on ships. The company completed all tasks and expenses assumed in the funding application. The company currently expects to achieve the financial indicators assumed in the project. Taking into account the current situation in Europe, and in particular the energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, this may affect the implementation of offshore farm projects. Shortening preparatory processes may have a negative impact on the company. If there is a risk of not achieving the expected revenues, the company will implement recovery plans and intensify sales activities on other markets, about which PARP will be informed.
Along with the development of offshore wind energy projects, their cumulative environmental impacts increases. A significant area of negative impact of offshore wind farms concerns migrating birds, and that requires minimizing measures. Under the project 3Bird has commercialised a service of research of migrating birds flight, which involves studies of bird flight at higher sea levels, and provides information on the number of bird flights at ceilings of <20 m. Measurements of migratory bird flights, collected by a stabilized ornithological radar, allow for calculations of the predicted bird mortality around wind farms.
Until the project has been implemented, detection studies at higher sea levels could not be achieved in that scope, and the innovation comes from stabilizing bird radars. The stabilizing platform, together with a structure connecting the platform to the radar system, was designed and constructed by the Norwegian project partner, STABLE AS, that also tested the sea swell compensation of the stabilized ornithological radar in close-to-natural conditions. The project also covered the testing of the stabilized radar unit by an Polish research institute, and the purchase of: ornithological radars, a transporting vehicle for the main radar and its adaptation for the transport of the electronic radar elements, a two-axle trailer for transporting the transceiver antennas with drive units.
Our new service of studying the flights of migratory birds, which is offered by no other entity on the market, brings environmental benefits in the form of reduced collisions of birds with offshore wind turbines, and financial benefits consisting in optimizing wind turbine shutdown times only to periods of increased risk of bird collisions with such wind turbines.
Summary of bilateral results
Our cooperation with the partner was smooth. The Partner responded to our needs on an ongoing basis, and always reacted without undue delay and with an open mind. We had a genuine feeling of partnership in which achieving the goal is important for each of the parties. Working with the Partner involved exchange of technological information and dealing on current problems. After the platform was delivered, our Partner worked with us to solve an unexpected problem that appeared. The Partner’s R&D department developed a solution to that problem. The Norwegian Partner STABLE AS was involved in: 1. Design of a platform stabilizing ornithological radars, 2. Design and construction of a platform stabilizing ornithological radars, 3. Studies on wave compensation of a stabilized ornithological radar in conditions similar to natural ones. The cooperation between the Beneficiary and the Norwegian Partner was efficient. The Partner responded on an ongoing basis to the Beneficiary''s needs, always reacted without unnecessary delay and with an open mind. The beneficiary had the feeling that they were actually partners with STABLE AS and achieving the goal was important for each party. During the project, technological information was exchanged and work on current problems took place. After receiving the platform, our partner cooperated with us to solve the problem, which appeared after delivery but was solved. The R&D department developed a solution to a problem that occurred after delivery. Currently, the Beneficiary and the Partner are discussing possibilities of further cooperation on subsequent projects. Due to the fact that the technologies being implemented are high-tech, they are expensive solutions, which is why we are currently waiting for the possibility of supporting our further activities with external funds.