Bird collision risk has been a major issue for consent of offshore wind farms. New work, led by HiDef Aerial Surveying, working with Sue King Consulting and DMP Statistical Solutions, for Marine Scotland has taken a major step forward in providing industry, regulators and their advisors with more realistic scenarios and outputs of potential collision rates.
“Good data requires a good model to produce robust results. HiDef has worked hard to provide the industry with auditable, accurate abundance data through our digital aerial survey methods, so we are pleased to also support the necessary modelling techniques. The launch of this product will now allow all parties to be able to undertake more realistic assessments and provide clarity to industry and conservation bodies” said HiDef Associate Director Dr. Ross McGregor.
The project created a new app that incorporates variability in input parameters, such as bird abundance, to provide a more realistic predicted collision rate of birds with wind turbines. In order to produce a model that was fit for purpose, stakeholders were consulted using a questionnaire based survey. The project has also embraced current technology with the publication of a ‘Shiny App’ available online to provide an easy access tool which is publicly available.
Project link: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/marineenergy/mre/current/StochasticCRM
Enquiries to: Ross.McGregor@hidefsurveying.co.uk
