DeTect provides expert support to project developers, owners and consultants for bird and bat surveys and studies for wind energy projects worldwide. Staff specialists include highly experienced radar ornithologists, avian biologists and statisticians that deliver workable solutions for assessment of bird and bat surveys mortality risk assessment, and mitigation. DeTect services in support of wind energy developers, operators and consultants include:

• Pre-screening assessments with the BirdMap™ technology
• Bird and Bat radar surveys – terrestrial and offshore
• Avian radar surveys
• Data processing, analysis & reporting
• MERLIN SCADA mortality risk mitigation system
• Permitting support
• NEPA compliance
• Public meeting support
• Expert witness testimony
• MERLIN Avian Radar System sale, lease and rental

BirdMap™ Pre-screening Risk Assessment

BirdMap™ is a GIS-based system that uses processed NEXRAD data to provide current and historical avian population density and seasonality data on virtually any site in the continental US, Alaska and Hawaii, including most coastal and offshore resource areas. BirdMap™ additionally incorporates public and proprietary avian databases on habitat, threatened and endangered species, roost sites, hibernacula, bird and bat distribution species maps, and refuges along with relevant correlation issues such as wetlands, weather and visibility to develop preliminary evaluation of a proposed windfarm site.

DeTect’s BirdMap™ provides a unique resource for conducting a low cost “screening” assessment of proposed wind energy development sites to assist in site selection prior to investment in long term planning studies, radar studies, and design.

MERLIN™ Bird & Bat Radar Surveys

MERLIN Avian Radar System surveys provide the most cost-effective, scientifically sound, and conclusive method for collection of high-quality, statistically superior data on bird and bat movements at proposed wind turbine project locations - for both on-shore and off-shore wind turbine installations. The MERLIN bird and bat detection radar system, originally developed for the U.S. Air Force and NASA for the demanding aviation safety application, is the most advanced and proven technology available for bird and bat surveys with systems operating throughout the U.S. and Europe. DeTect has extensive expertise and experience that includes staff with experience in major multi-year studies for offshore windfarms.

Using state-of-the-art radar and computer techniques developed specifically for detecting and tracking the unique behavioral characteristics of birds and bats, MERLIN collects data continuously and automatically under a variety of conditions generating highly accurate, detailed datasets for analysis and for use in project decision-making and permitting. The MERLIN system is fully remote controllable via satellite and WWAN uplinks and can operate 24-7 for extending periods unattended. Data is also archived to disk providing a permanent record for each project.

Radar techniques for wind energy projects offer significant benefits over conventional visual avian survey techniques:

• Larger datasets of highly accurate data on bird & bat passage rates through rotor swept zones
• Detailed counts for Rotor Swept Zone
• Definitive determination of mortality risk
• Data archived for future reference
• Highly defensible, statistically-reliable data

The MERLIN™ Avian Radar System is the most powerful tool available for assessment of proposed wind energy projects and generates a detailed dataset that can be used to accurately determine the numbers of bird and bats transiting a proposed project site within the rotor swept areas under day, night and low visibility conditions. DeTect’s proprietary Data Analyzer program generates detailed datasets in both tabular and graphical formats quantifying the numbers of birds passing through the rotor swept area allowing precise calculation and determination of bird and bat mortality risk.

Bird & Bat Mortality Risk Mitigation Systems:
DeTect is leading development of advanced technologies for real-time detection and management of bird and bat risk at wind farms. For operating windfarms, MERLIN's SCADA functionality allows the system to operate as a monitoring and risk mitigation system providing advance warning to the windfarm operators of approaching birds. MERLIN SCADA can also be set to automatically active mitigation measures that can include idling of turbines until risk conditions abate.

The MERLIN operating software is fully compatible with most wind farm SCADA control systems. MERLIN SCADA can also be configured with compact conical scan sensors to address raptor risk providing continuous monitoring of the airspace above turbines, automatically stopping the rotors when raptor activity consistent with mortality risk is detected. DeTect additionally has under development its VESPER technology to provide radar bat tracking and risk mitigation.

DeTect's MERLIN radar system is a fully- mobile, self-contained system with on-board control cabin, power system, and includes all hardware and software for bird and bat tracking, clutter suppression, and data recording. Custom configurations, including fully remote controlled offshore installations, can also be provided that incorporate additional sensors such as thermal cameras, bat detectors, insect detectors and vertical profilers. Systems are available for short-term rental, long-term lease or for sale, both with and without DeTect operators and DeTect provides complete technical support from survey through data analysis.

MERLIN Avian Radar System services and rentals are also available in the USA through Tetra Tech, Inc., (contact derek.hengstenberg@tetratech.com for pricing and availability).

For a copy of DeTect’s Wind Energy Capabilities and Technologies Flyer, click here (1.5 MB, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader); for a copy of the complete MERLIN Avian Radar System Technology Overview and 2008 Catalog (1 MB), click here (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).