On August 8, 2024, a significant milestone for bird protection and the advancement of wind energy was celebrated at the Timmaspe Wind Farm. Schleswig-Holstein has become the first federal state in Germany to develop a framework for testing anti-collision systems (AKS). This framework was introduced at the Timmaspe Wind Farm in the district of Rendsburg-Eckernförde, in the presence of Environment Minister Tobias Goldschmidt, representatives from the State Office for Environmental Protection (LfU), and partner companies BioConsult SH and ProTecBird. The framework defines minimum requirements for the development, validation, and testing of these systems. It provides clear guidance for manufacturers in developing AKS, thereby helping to standardize and expedite approval processes.
This innovative project underscores Schleswig-Holstein's commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly energy production. The new framework enables efficient testing and improvement of systems designed to protect birds from collisions with wind turbines. As one of the leading federal states in wind energy, Schleswig-Holstein is pioneering the establishment of forward-looking standards for anti-collision systems and their integration into approval processes. In September 2022, the Ministry for Energy Transition, Climate Protection, Environment, and Nature (MEKUN) commissioned a committee led by the State Office for Environmental Protection SH (LfU) to develop a testing framework. This committee, consisting of an advisory team (TÜV NORD, the Office for Biostatistics), AKS and wind turbine manufacturers, as well as representatives from conservation organizations and wind energy associations, worked until the end of 2023 to create a comprehensive framework for validating AKS.
Minister Goldschmidt emphasized the importance of this development for the state’s environmental protection and energy policies: "Schleswig-Holstein is a land of energy transition, but also of nature and species conservation. We want to preserve both, as they are two sides of the same coin. Anti-collision systems further harmonize the expansion of wind energy and the protection of large birds," said Minister Goldschmidt. "The framework is supported by both the energy sector and nature conservation, making it a nationwide model for the approval of wind turbines. With this framework, we are applying technological innovations for species and climate protection. Digital technologies and artificial intelligence offer great opportunities in environmental protection, and this is a good example of that."
The AKS AVES Wind by ProTecBird automatically detects and identifies bird species using an AI-based system. When a bird at risk of collision approaches a wind turbine, the system sends a shutdown signal, putting the turbine into curtailment and preventing a collision. ProTecBird presented its successfully validated AKS to the public at the Timmaspe Wind Farm. "ProTecBird has achieved a technological breakthrough with its AVES Wind anti-collision system, which can be seen as disruptive for the wind energy industry," explained Thorsten Heinzen, Managing Director of ProTecBird. "We have created a smart, networked AI-based system that utilizes existing wind farm infrastructure to further improve the effectiveness and sustainability of wind energy generation."
The event at the Timmaspe Wind Farm highlights the successful collaboration between science, industry, and politics, marking a decisive step for the future of wind energy in Schleswig-Holstein and nationwide.