The red-colored blades already installed on seven wind turbines at Hollandse Kust West in the North Sea disrupt the uniform appearance the uniform appearance of a large offshore wind farm.
The turbines are part of a trial being conducted by Ecowende in collaboration with several other research institutions.
Unlike some other trials, this field test is designed to investigate whether a distinct color helps birds spot the spinning blades sooner—though researchers note that the effectiveness of the ‘smear’ effect remains unproven. No claim is made regarding generating more electricity or improving the overall operation of the turbines.
As offshore wind farms continue to expand their footprint into areas where seabirds live, one challenge facing developers is the number of birds killed by spinning turbines.
Ecowende is testing several new technologies aimed at reducing that number, and the red-blade trial is likely the best known of these tests.
Seven turbines will no longer look the same
Offshore wind turbines usually resemble each other from every angle.
There are many turbines spread throughout the larger Hollandse Kust West wind farm. Each turbine consists of three rotating grey blades that give off the exact same appearance to people viewing them.
Within the larger wind farm at Hollandse Kust West, seven turbines will look slightly different from the rest.
Getting the red blades into position took planning
All seven turbines will receive a single red blade.
While the idea behind the concept seems easy enough, putting it into action proved difficult. Vestas says that red blades are not among the products available in its regular product line.
All aspects of production, delivery, storing them in the harbor, and installing the blades had to be coordinated. It was also necessary for Vestas to ensure that all of the red blades would be placed equally spaced throughout the wind-farm area.
Each turbine is part of a very large offshore development.
Vestas is providing, shipping, and commissioning 52 V236-15.0 MW turbines for Hollandse Kust West.
Researchers do not know if birds will notice
One underlying assumption of the project is that spinning blades may create what researchers describe as a “smear” effect. The idea is similar to the way people perceive the spinning wheels on a carousel.
However, researchers acknowledge that much remains unknown about whether this smear effect influences bird behavior around wind turbines. Researchers also do not know which colors or visual patterns may prove most effective.
Black and fluorescent colors were both discussed as potential options before settling on red, according to Ecowende. Red was eventually selected due to meeting performance expectations.
The color also helped avoid issues related to overheating and long-term durability of the blade.
For now, the colored blades remain experimental and are not a tried-and-true method.
The red blades are only one test
The research team in charge of conducting the fieldwork in connection with this study includes Waardenburg Ecology, DHI, and Robin Radar, along with Ecowende. This work represents just one component of the broader Hollandse Kust West ecological study program.
Alongside red blades, the team will also evaluate measures such as adaptive curtailment and bird corridor construction.
The different measures are intended to be assessed within the same broader ecological program.
This allows information from several approaches to be gathered under the same offshore operating conditions. Several different approaches will be tested at an operational offshore wind facility under real-time conditions.
Upon completion of the testing phase, researchers will have data that will enable them to assess how each method compares to others.
As a result, the study could potentially provide information on which approaches can best help reduce risks to seabirds.
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