Radar estimates for model parameters of collision risk around wind turbines in the chilean patagonia

SPECIES-SPECIFIC RESPONSES OF ONSHORE AND OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY PROJECTS Oral presentation Abstract code: MIBE5P26TE6MFKZSJ RADAR ESTIMATES FOR MODEL PARAMETERS OF COLLISION RISK AROUND WIND TURBINES IN THE CHILEAN PATAGONIA Miguel Repas-Goncalves1, Pedro Cardia1, Nuno Cidraes-Vieira1, Cristofer de la Rivera 2, Julio Duran2, 1STRIX, 4450-286 Matosinhos, Portugal, 2Foco Ambiental SpA, Santiago, Chile miguel.repas@strixinternational.com Transitioning our energy economy away from fossil fuel dependence towards one based on renewable and alternative forms of energy requires novel solutions for energy storage, in which the role of hydrogen has promising potential. Very large wind power projects are an increasingly used as source of renewable energy to feed the energy intensive plants for producing green hydrogen and derived fuels, such as green ammonia. But there are concerns of their potential effects on wildlife, particularly on birds. As part of the Total Eren H2 Magallanes Complex, the 10000 MW H2M wind farm is the world’s largest onshore wind power project covering 73.785 ha of Chilean Patagonian grasslands and is included in the IBA (Important Bird Area) of Estancia San Gregorio and in the EBA (Endemic Bird Area) 062 – Southern Patagonia, in the Magellan region of southern Chile, home to the main breeding grounds for the Ruddy-headed Goose Chloephaga rubidiceps, a species classified as Endangered. To address this issue, a comprehensive quantitative radar study was devised to assess the bird collision risk of the Phase 1 (5 GW) of H2M wind power project with focus on the species Ruddy-headed Goose and to design appropriate mitigation actions. The study was conducted over a 12 months period and will provide a detailed understanding of how these species interact with wind turbines. A dual setup comprising of a X-band Birdtrack radar operating in scanning/surveillance and counting modes (horizontal and vertical radar operation, respectively) was used to measure the flight patterns of birds in the study area. This technological approach focused on acquiring empirical and high resolution data for collision risk modelling, including in situ system calibration with bird observers. The use of Birdtrack radar system aimd to increase the accuracy and reliability of the data collected, allowing for a more comprehensive assessment of the behavioural responses of the target species. To calculate species specific risk of collision metrics the model parameters were obtained from x-band radar measured empirical data such as flight height, flight speed, flight direction, mean traffic rates and population densities at two vertical mode ranges (0,4 km and 1,5km) and on horizontal mode range (4,5 km). The methodology used to estimate the collision risks and analyse behavioural responses will provide important insights into species-specific responses and behaviour of the target species at the wind farm to inform appropriate mitigation actions. Key words: Radar, Collision Risk Model, Wind turbine, Endangerd species, Ruddy-headed GooseConference presentations and posters are typically about preliminary findings and are usually followed up by a detailed paper. This poster is based only on its abstract and may offer limited information. Please contact us for the detailed project brief, which may offer additional information that you can utilize for your research. This project was commissioned by TotalEnergies to Foco Ambiental in partnership with STRIX