Ignitis Renewables to install Lithuania's most innovative bird protection technology

An international green energy company, Ignitis Renewables, will be the first company in Lithuania to install advanced bird monitoring systems made by ProTecBird. The bird detection system will detect and recognise the birds flying towards wind turbines in real time. The wind turbines will then be stopped, and the birds will be protected from potential collision. The latest technologies will both ensure the security of the birds and the efficiency of wind turbines. The system is to be installed by next spring.

According to Lina Žibienė, Head of Environmental and Permitting at Ignitis Renewables, protecting biodiversity is one of the most important objectives in the sustainability strategy of the company. Therefore, as a green energy leader in the Baltic states, the Ignitis Renewables is constantly looking for the most innovative environmental solutions in the projects it develops.

“Even though we do not currently have the obligation to install the system for wind farms that have been built already, we believe that this decision is very important in order to minimise the environmental impact of our renewable energy projects. While conducting surveys at Kelmė wind farm, we noticed that that there are vulnerable species inhabiting the territory and that additional measures are required to protect them. That is why we decided to act now. We chose the highest-quality technologies that were created by world-renowned manufacturers. The new systems will ensure the maximum efficiency and harmonise the energy generation and the highest environmental standards,” said L. Žibienė.

The most advanced technologies in the largest wind farm in the Baltic states

The bird protection system will be installed at Kelmė wind farm, the largest wind farm in the Baltics. The project will consist of 44 wind turbines and its total capacity will be 300 megawatts (MW), It is important to note that the project includes the deployment of advanced environmental solutions, i.e., technologies that nurture the local ecosystem.

The installed bird monitoring systems will help protect the vulnerable species, including the lesser spotted eagle, the western marsh harrier and the common buzzard, flying around the territory.

Artificial intelligence employed to benefit the nature

Kelmė wind farm will have 84 bird protection devices installed on 28 wind turbines, which are made by a German manufacturer, ProTecBird. They will be installed 10 metres above the ground. Even though the wind farm will have 44 wind turbines, the number of devices will be enough to cover the whole territory. 

The system uses high-definition cameras and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and identify birds, including their flight speed, path and height, in real time. If birds enter the 300–600 metre zone, the wind turbines can be stopped within 30 seconds. This technology will make sure that the wind turbines are shut down for a short duration, until the birds pass them, avoiding the long-term generation disruptions.

The bird monitoring technology evolved as a spin-off from advanced air defense systems originally designed to detect and track drones automatically. With the integration of sophisticated AI modules, it has been transformed into a powerful tool for reliably identifying bird species at wind farms, effectively eliminating the risk of bird collisions.

ProTecBird, a German technology company, pioneers innovative bird protection solutions by merging its deep expertise in ornithology with state-of-the-art technology. This cutting-edge bird monitoring system is remarkably versatile, extending its application beyond wind farms to industrial facilities, stadiums, and airports, where it ensures the safety of both birds and air traffic. 

“We are proud to have Ignitis Renewables choose our AI-powered AVES Wind anti-collision system. It is a privilege to support Lithuania's energy transition while actively protecting bird species,” says Thorsten Heinzen, CEO of ProTecBird.

“With the help of this system, we will be able to constantly monitor the birds, including their habitats, flight paths and perhaps discover new species that were not identified before,” says L. Žibienė, when listing the benefits of the bird monitoring system.

Learn more about how the ProTecBird system works by watching this video.