After a test phase, a new smart camera detection system for sea eagles at Zeewolde Wind Farm in Flevoland is now fully operational. This was symbolically launched yesterday with the unveiling of an information board.
The unveiling was done by Sjoerd Sieburgh Sjoerds, Director of Windpark Zeewolde, at the foot of one of the wind turbines in the wind farm equipped with this system. The sign will eventually be located next to the nearby cycle path. The press was invited to the unveiling.
The reason for the camera detection system is the increasing number of white-tailed eagles in the Netherlands, including in the nearby Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve. Although increasing, their numbers remain vulnerable.
Sjoerd Sieburgh Sjoerdsma: ‘When we started this wind farm in 2022, the rare white-tailed eagle had not yet been spotted here. That has now changed: more and more breeding pairs of the white-tailed eagle are being seen. Also in the vicinity of Zeewolde Wind Farm, which is located on the edge of the Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve.’
With the increase in white-tailed eagle numbers, the likelihood of a possible collision with a wind turbine also increases. Wind farm Zeewolde has therefore invested in a detection system of smart AI-controlled cameras. The goal: to allow the white-tailed eagle to fly safely.
Two years of research and test phase
Werkgroep Zeearend, ecologists and scientists from Wageningen Environmental Research have thoroughly investigated how to minimise the risk to the white-tailed eagle in the Zeewolde Wind Farm area. This involved investigating where they are particularly at risk in the wind farm and which system works best. This research took two years. There was good consultation with the province. It was decided to install the advanced camera system from Biodiv-Wind SAS. In October last year, Windpark Zeewolde announced to invest in this system. After a test phase, the system is now operational.
AI-controlled system
The wind turbines for placing the cameras have been carefully chosen. Each of the selected wind turbines are equipped with 8 camera’s. Four cameras look up and four cameras look down. The cameras have a range of 1,100 metres all around. They each view the surroundings from a different angle. If a bird comes within the 1,100-metre zone, the cameras will check if it is the white-tailed eagle and in which direction it is flying.
This is made possible due to a smart system with Artificial Intelligence (AI) that recognises the white-tailed eagle from a great distance. This is done with unique recognition software, which is linked to an international database with all kinds of sea eagles. As the cameras use AI, they become increasingly accurate in recognising the white-tailed eagle.
At a distance of 300 metres from the wind turbine, the smart system will decide whether it is indeed a white-tailed eagle and whether it is actually approaching the wind turbine. If so, the system sends a signal to the wind turbine, after which it is stopped. Several wind turbines can be linked to each system for this purpose. This allows the white-tailed eagle to continue flying safely, after which the wind turbine will automatically turn again.
Besides this camera detection system for sea eagles, Windpark Zeewolde also monitors goose migration via a goose radar. This involves stopping two wind turbines at certain times in the hope that this measure will reduce collission risk. Zeewolde Wind Farm monitors bird mortality. However the exact numbers are difficult to determine because victims are quickly cleared away by other animals.
Zeewolde wind farm
Zeewolde Wind Farm is a unique area initiative of more than 200 farmers, residents and wind turbine owners in the outlying area of Zeewolde. In this area of more than 300 square kilometres, more than 90% of them are already shareholders. Together, they form the largest farmers/citizen wind cooperative in Europe. At 320 MW, it is also the largest onshore wind farm in the Netherlands. The wind farm currently comprises 83 large modern wind turbines. These replace the approximately 220 scattered turbines and together generate almost three times more energy than the current turbines. The older wind turbines will be removed within the next 2 years. An energy storage park is currently being built next to the wind farm. There are also plans for a hydrogen plant.
