Abstract
Context. Windmills became one of main sources of energy. Since they are placed in open areas, there are many chances that birds may enter the wind farms and get killed or damaged. Some wind farms use pulse radar systems for saving the birds from windmills. In this pulse radar technology, the turbines are turned off automatically when a bird is detected. Another technology is ultrasonic "boom boxes", which are attached to turbines and produce high-frequency noises continuously to repel birds. The system we are going to propose detects the birds entering the farm using Bluetooth technology and alerts the windmill farm operator. Using Bluetooth technology can be power efficient, accurate, and mainly useful for avifauna method of protection.
Objectives. The main objective of the Bluetooth bird detection system is to make distance estimation possible with the help of signal strength that is measured between two Bluetooth devices where one is placed at the wind farm and another on bird.
Methods. Bird detection and distance measurement is done using a BGX13P Bluetooth transmitter and receiver. According to the distance to the bird, further steps can be taken to protect it. Simplicity Studio application is used to take the readings of the Bluetooth signal strength of the transmitter and receiver. Results. As a result, the birds are detected at two distances from a windmill, the first distance is 250 m and the second is 175 m from the windmill. The windmill operator is alerted when the bird is detected at either of these distances.
Conclusions. A bird detection system is built with the help of Bluetooth technology. This system helps saving the birds from collisions with windmills. However, there is a need for further quantitative and qualitative validation of the models in full-scale industry trials.