An IndentiFlight image of a golden eagle in flight over Uzbekistan. Photo: supplied
The power of artificial intelligence (or AI) is being harnessed to bear to protect wind farms from bird strikes in southern Europe.
US-based company Boulder Imaging is teaming with Croatia’s Oikon environmental consultancy to introduce the technology next year.
The demand for such measures comes as Croatia ramps up its renewable energy use under the EU’s European Green Deal which calls for mandatory, and detailed, environmental impact assessments for projects, particularly for wind farms near Natura 2000 sites.
Natura 2000 is a network of protected areas covering Europe’s most valuable and threatened species and habitats.
It is the largest co-ordinated network of protected areas in the world, extending across all 27 EU countries, land and sea.
PROTECTING BIRDS
A Boulder statement says its IdentiFlight system will help protect bird life while support growing demand for wind power.
Dalibor Hatic, general manager of Oikon, says they are “excited to bring this cutting-edge technology to Croatia and the broader southeast European region where wind energy is expanding and biodiversity protection is critical”.
“Our goal is to ensure that wind development can thrive without compromising our common natural heritage,” he says.
The company statement says IdentiFlight’s real-time bird detection and automated turbine curtailment capabilities will reduce risk and protect species such as Eurasian griffons, honey buzzards, short-toed snake eagles, golden eagles, and kestrels.
“Partnering with Oikon Ltd. enhances our ability to deliver conservation-driven technology where it’s most needed,” said Don Mills, president and chief operating officer of Colorado-based Boulder Imaging.
“Together, we’re advancing the role of AI in biodiversity protection and accelerating responsible wind energy growth in Croatia and beyond.”
With more than 520 systems deployed across five continents, the company says IdentiFlight reduced bird deaths by over 85% while maintaining a power generation loss of less than 1% in wind farms.
A 2026 start is planned for Croatia with the initial focus on sensitive migratory corridors and ecologically valuable terrain.
