Eoldist, a Web Application for Estimating Cautionary Detection Distance of Birds by Automatic Detection Systems to Reduce Collisions With Wind Turbines

TY - JOUR

T1 - Eoldist, a Web Application for Estimating Cautionary Detection Distance of Birds by Automatic Detection Systems to Reduce Collisions With Wind Turbines

AU - Fluhr, Julie

AU - Duriez, Olivier

AU - Blary, Constance

AU - Chambert, Thierry

AU - Almasi, Bettina

AU - Byholm, Patrik

AU - Buitendijk, Nelleke H

AU - Champagnon, Jocelyn

AU - Dagys, Mindaugas

AU - Fiedler, Wolfgang

AU - Francesiaz, Charlotte

AU - Jiguet, Frédéric

AU - Lee, Simon

AU - Millon, Alexandre

AU - Monti, Flavio

AU - Morcelet, Lucile

AU - Nathan, Ran

AU - Nolet, Bart A

AU - Nuijten, Rascha

AU - Pilard, Philippe

AU - Ponchon, Cécile

AU - Roulin, Alexandre

AU - Santos, Carlos D

AU - Spiegel, Orr

AU - Schalcher, Kim

AU - De Seynes, Aurélie

AU - Spanoghe, Geert

AU - Wikelski, Martin

AU - Žydelis, Ramunas

AU - Besnard, Aurélien

N1 - Data/Code archiving: cnrs.fr

PY - 2025/2

Y1 - 2025/2

N2 - The installation of automatic detection systems (ADSs) on operating wind energy facilities is a mitigation measure to reduce bird collisions. The effectiveness of an ADS depends on a combination of parameters, including the detection distance of the bird, its flight speed, and the time to complete the chosen action (e.g., turbine shutdown). We created a web application, Eoldist, to calculate cautionary detection distances required by an ADS, using bird flight speed and turbine shutdown time as input parameters. We compiled a database of the flight speeds of 168 Western Palearctic birds from a review of scientific literature supplemented by an analysis of unpublished GPS-tracking datasets. To estimate turbine shutdown time, we conducted 137 field trials of experimental shutdown at seven wind farms and found that the duration to reach residual rotor speeds of 3 or 2 rotations per minute (rpm) was respectively 32.2 or 38.8 s on average. Based on this data, Eoldist allows the user to select a species from the database, wind turbine characteristics, and a residual rotor speed (3 or 2 rpm); it then calculates the time to reach the selected threshold and provides a distribution curve for the cautionary detection distance needed to prevent collision. This article includes examples of cautionary detection distances required for several species to demonstrate the sensitivity of key input parameters. Eoldist is freely available and should help the wind energy industry, ADS suppliers, and environmental agencies to define requirements for ADS bird detection that are compatible with the biology of the target species.

AB - The installation of automatic detection systems (ADSs) on operating wind energy facilities is a mitigation measure to reduce bird collisions. The effectiveness of an ADS depends on a combination of parameters, including the detection distance of the bird, its flight speed, and the time to complete the chosen action (e.g., turbine shutdown). We created a web application, Eoldist, to calculate cautionary detection distances required by an ADS, using bird flight speed and turbine shutdown time as input parameters. We compiled a database of the flight speeds of 168 Western Palearctic birds from a review of scientific literature supplemented by an analysis of unpublished GPS-tracking datasets. To estimate turbine shutdown time, we conducted 137 field trials of experimental shutdown at seven wind farms and found that the duration to reach residual rotor speeds of 3 or 2 rotations per minute (rpm) was respectively 32.2 or 38.8 s on average. Based on this data, Eoldist allows the user to select a species from the database, wind turbine characteristics, and a residual rotor speed (3 or 2 rpm); it then calculates the time to reach the selected threshold and provides a distribution curve for the cautionary detection distance needed to prevent collision. This article includes examples of cautionary detection distances required for several species to demonstrate the sensitivity of key input parameters. Eoldist is freely available and should help the wind energy industry, ADS suppliers, and environmental agencies to define requirements for ADS bird detection that are compatible with the biology of the target species.

KW - automatic detection system

KW - bird flight speed

KW - reduction of mortality

KW - shutdown on demand

KW - wind energy facility

KW - wind turbine

U2 - 10.1002/we.2971

DO - 10.1002/we.2971

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85215398107

SN - 1095-4244

VL - 28

JO - Wind Energy

JF - Wind Energy

IS - 2

M1 - e2971

ER -