DTBird’s ability to detect and deter large raptors, particularly golden eagles, and to reduce the risk of collisions with wind turbines (WTG) was evaluated in the USA by H.T. Harvey & Associates for the American Wind Wildlife Institute.
The evaluation was carried out in 7 DTBirdV4D4 units installed in 2016 in a California wind farm, using eagle-like unmanned aerial vehicles (aka, UAV) with a 2 m wingspan, and studying in situ large raptor behavior registered during 2017.
The evaluation yielded the following major results:
- DTBirdV4 Detection Module:
- Up to 99%1 Overall eagle-like UAV Detection rate from > 230 m to the Rotor Swept Area (RSA).
- 63% mean Detection rate per distance band of 30 m (7 distance bands from >230 m to the RSA).
- 2.5 False Positive rate (flight recording of something other than birds)/WTG/day2.
- DTBirdD4 Collision Avoidance Module:
- Deterrence response rates3 when considering unequivocally successful deterrence and potential deterrence:
- 52-83% for golden eagles.
- 36-76% for buteos.
- 39-78% for all raptors.
- Deterrence response rates3 when considering unequivocally successful deterrence and potential deterrence:
- DTBirdV4D4 service reliability4:
- >98% System.
- >98% HD Cameras.
- 100% Collision Avoidance.
To see the original report with DTBird notes, please go to this Link.
DTBirdV4D4 unit installed at Manzana Wind Power Project.