RWE has launched an innovative environmental monitoring system at its 342MW Kaskasi offshore wind farm (pictured) in Germany.
For the first time in Europe, a drone equipped with a high-resolution camera system was used for offshore environmental monitoring of birds and marine mammals.
RWE said the technique is a low-carbon alternative to traditional methods of environmental monitoring using aeroplanes and ships.
The drone is one of many monitoring technologies being deployed as part of RWE’s SeaMe (Sustainable Ecosystem Approach in Monitoring the Marine Environment) project.
The goal of the project is to develop a holistic understanding of the interactions between offshore wind farms and the ecosystem.
Alongside the drone, an AI-powered fish detection system with video cameras is being operated on an autonomous underwater vehicle.
Furthermore, high-resolution video cameras have been installed on turbines to monitor birds and their behaviour. Water samples are being analysed for traces of environmental DNA.
The project began in autumn 2024, initially with onshore testing and preparation of the various technologies for offshore deployment. It has now entered its next phase, starting simultaneous data collection at RWE’s Kaskasi wind farm off the German coast.
Chief operating officer of offshore wind at RWE Thomas Michel said: “As a global leading player in offshore wind, we feel responsible for building and operating our wind farms in harmony with nature. We are committed to continuous improvement.
“With the SeaMe project, we are embracing new technologies that enable us to simultaneously monitor a range of different factors.
“That way, we can gain an even deeper understanding of the interactions between offshore wind and the marine ecosystem.”