Integrated, Real-Time, Multi-Scale System for Monitoring Seabird Interactions with Floating Offshore Wind Technologies
Integral Consulting Inc.
Recipient
Santa Cruz, CA
Recipient Location
17th
Senate District
30th
Assembly District
$1,625,862
Amount Spent
Active
Project Status
Project Update
As of February 3, 2025, the following tasks have been completed or are underway:
Task 1 General Project Tasks: Kick-off meeting (9/18/23), Critical Progress Review meeting and report submission (8/13/24 and 7/29/24), and TAC Meeting #1 (12/21/23 and 1/12/24).
Task 2 Radar and Task 3 TT3D (ThermalTracker Three-Dimensional): Data related to bird and bat species presence, relative abundance, ecologies, and behaviors in the California offshore wind energy areas (WEAs) were compiled to inform the Radar and TT3D System (and Blade Strike) Test Plans. Separate Radar System and TT3D System Test Plans were prepared, reviewed by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), and submitted (1/31/24) to describe testing and validation objectives and criteria, procedures, location(s), conditions, and testing and validation equipment including technical specifications. Radar and TT3D data collection exercises were performed in three relevant onshore environments over a variety of environmental conditions. Radar field data were evaluated and validated and a Draft Radar System Report was submitted (1/31/25) that describes radar data collection exercises, data and results, optimal use modes for the California offshore environment and specific bird and bat species of interest, and the utility of radar data as inputs to bird collision risk models as well as for floating offshore wind environmental monitoring. TT3D data are currently being evaluated and validated.
Task 5 Blade Strike Simulations, Validation, and Integration: Finite element analysis (FEA) simulations were performed to model bird and bat impact strikes on stationary turbine blades to inform structural health monitoring (SHM) sensor specifications and configuration and a bird and bat strike test matrix. A Blade Strike Test Plan was prepared and submitted (6/28/24) that describes technical specifications for the optimal sensor and instrumentation configuration and select impact cases including collision velocity, angle, blade span and chord locations, sensor placement, and test blade characteristics. Blade strike tests were performed in a controlled environment - the Sandia Scaled Wind Farm Technology (SWiFT) facility (Lubbock, TX; 11/18-22/24) - to validate the blade structural response from the structural models and the ability of blade-mounted SHM sensors to detect and identify possible bird or bat strikes. Three different technologies were evaluated over a series of tests: wired accelerometers, wireless accelerometers, and acoustic sensors. Tests involved impact hammer tests, air cannon projectile launches of ballistics gel, and ballistics gel drop, whack, and toss tests. Blade strike test data analysis and model validation is currently underway.
The Issue
California’s offshore wind energy areas are rich with birds under protection by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Endangered Species Act. Proposed wind energy projects will therefore likely be required to generate collision risk models (CRMs) capable of estimating species-specific impacts. CRMs are most sensitive to avoidance rate, which must be calculated from interactions occurring at multiple scales: macro (wind farm avoidance), meso (individual turbine avoidance), and micro (collision avoidance). Advancements in assessment of bird and bat interactions with offshore wind technologies at multiple scales is required to reduce regulatory uncertainty and the potential for delays to planning, permitting, and construction for the first generation of California floating offshore wind energy projects.
Project Innovation
This project is developing and validating an integrated, real-time, autonomous, multiscale system capable of monitoring and characterizing bird and bat interactions (i.e., collision and avoidance) with floating offshore wind technologies in remote environments. Results will improve cost-competitiveness and minimize non-technical risks associated with environmental permitting of floating offshore wind energy projects. Results will address critical knowledge gaps regarding collision risk in marine waters off California and elsewhere.
Project Benefits
This Agreement leads to advancements in bird and bat monitoring and characterization technologies. Results will overcome barriers to achievement of the State of California's statutory energy goals by filling significant data gaps, informing collision risk model-based forecasting and mitigation actions, understanding potential environmental impacts of offshore wind, and streamlining planning and permitting. This project directly supports the National Environmental Policy Act, California Environmental Quality Act, and other federal, state, and local statutory and regulatory reviews and approvals.
Environmental Sustainability
The Agreement addresses risks of wildlife interactions with floating offshore wind energy technologies. Improved understanding of bird and bat avoidance rates through real-time, multi-scale monitoring tools will minimize environmental impacts, specifically, the potential harm to bats and birds including those under protection by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Endangered Species Act.
Environmental Sustainability
This technology helps minimize harm to wildlife populations by tracking bird and bat behavior around offshore wind farms, enabling operators to adjust operations to prevent collisions and habitat disruptions. Healthy ecosystems contribute to clean water, fish stocks, and other natural resources that communities rely on for sustenance and economic activities, e.g., fishing.
Key Project Members
Grace Chang
Michael Macrander
Daniel Doolittle
Subrecipients
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Sandia National Laboratories
H. T. Harvey & Associates
DeTect, Inc
Sightir, Inc
Velvetwire LLC
General Electric Research
Match Partners
H. T. Harvey &
Associates
Integral Consulting Inc.
DeTect, Inc
Sightir, Inc
Velvetwire LLC
General Electric Research
