SSEN hosted the UK’s first LineFly + Hawk Eye Bird Flight Diverter Demo, showcasing installation and removal and spotlighting the most efficient, most effective, quickest and safest way to prevent avian power line collisions.
A few highlights are below, or you can read the full story on the SSEN Transmission website here.
What was the demo day and why was it significant?
The day was organised in collaboration with US-based companies Fulcrum Air and Power Line Sentry. The purpose of the demonstration was to showcase Fulcrum Air’s drone and robot technology and Power Line Sentry’s Hawk Eye BFD to assess their suitability for our network. The companies have successfully installed the Hawk Eye BFD by drone on transmission infrastructure in the US, Canada, and Australia, and this event was significant for showcasing the groundbreaking technology on transmission lines in Great Britain.
The event took place over two days to accommodate for the volume of interest in the project, as people attended from a range of organisations to witness the technology in action. The day consisted of insightful presentations at The Hilcroft Hotel in Whitburn, followed by a demo at Keltbray’s training yard, one of our contractors who kindly offered their facilities over the two days.
What are bird flight diverters and when do we need to install them?
Bird flight diverters are installed on overhead lines to increase visibility and reduce collision risk in sensitive areas, identified through detailed bird surveys and risk assessments in project development. We always aim to avoid sensitive habitats and species abundant in our operational area in the north of Scotland, but where avoidance is not possible, we focus on mitigating potential environmental impacts. The installation of BFDs on high-risk spans is one such mitigation. As we expand our transmission network to meet climate targets, it’s imperative that we design, build, and operate our assets in ways that protect and enhance the natural environment, safeguarding sensitive habitats and species along the way.
At the demo day we heard from Power Line Sentry about the design process of their Hawk Eye BFD and how it has been optimised to effectively reduce collisions. The company collaborated with ornithologists and bird ophthalmologists to understand key criteria for the product in terms of shape, colour, and design, including visibility in different light conditions. The streamlined installation process through the drone and robot technology is a huge benefit to being able to install BFDs efficiently and safely.