BRI, National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (NCGIA) at University of Maine Orono, HiDef Surveying Limited (HiDef), and SunEdison are currently working to refine a stereo-optic, high-definition camera system with night vision capability to track flying animals in three dimensions. This system will help researchers learn how birds and bats behave around wind turbines so that developers can reduce risks to wildlife over the long term.
Investigators: Evan Adams, Ph.D., Melissa Duron, Wing Goodale
Contributing BRI Staff: Emily Connelly, Chris DeSorbo, Andrew Gilbert, Bill Hanson, Robby Lambert, Iain Stenhouse, Ph.D., Kate Williams, Dave Yates
Researchers will employ two ultra high-definition cameras to create a three-dimensional view of a wind turbine, the horizon, and the area surrounding the turbine. Cameras will record during the day and also at night, using a new near-infrared technology to detect animal movements. In addition, stereo camera systems will be deployed at one or more of SunEdison’s wind farms in Maine.
Team members from the University of Maine’s Robot Interaction Lab will develop algorithms to support partially automated detection of eagles and bats. This component is key to reducing the analysis time required due to huge data sets from the camera systems.