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Best practice guidance for the installation of monitoring equipment to support post construction seabird collision monitoring at offshore wind farms

Guidance

Title: Best practice guidance for the installation of monitoring equipment to support post construction seabird collision monitoring at offshore wind farms
Author:
Valantiejus, Ž.; Boersch-Supan, P.; Thaxter, C.; Collier, M.; Page, A.; Boronkay, C.
Publication Date:
Pages:
63
Affiliation
The Carbon Trust, British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), Waardenburg Ecology, Ramboll
Sponsoring Organization:
Offshore Wind Evidence and Change Programme, The Crown Estate, UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, UK Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Offshore Renewables Joint Industry Programme (ORJIP)
Technology:
Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind
Stressor:
Collision
Receptor:
Birds, Seabirds
Language:
English

Document Access

Website:
External Link
Attachment:
Access File

Citation

Valantiejus, Ž.; Boersch-Supan, P.; Thaxter, C.; Collier, M.; Page, A.; Boronkay, C. (2026). Best practice guidance for the installation of monitoring equipment to support post construction seabird collision monitoring at offshore wind farms. Report by The Carbon Trust. Report for Offshore Wind Evidence and Change Programme.
@techreport{Valantiejus-2026-,
author = {Valantiejus, Ž and Boersch-Supan, P and Thaxter, C and Collier, M and Page, A and Boronkay, C},
title = {Best practice guidance for the installation of monitoring equipment to support post construction seabird collision monitoring at offshore wind farms},
institution = {The Carbon Trust},
year = {2026},
month = {may},
url = {https://www.carbontrust.com/our-work-and-impact/impact-stories/large-scale-rd-projects-offshore-wind/best-practice-for-data-and-equipment-installation-design-for-seabird-collision-monitoring-at-offshore-wind-farms},
keywords = {Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind, Floating Offshore Wind, Collision, Birds, Seabirds},
}
Export Citation to BibTex
TY - RPRT
TI - Best practice guidance for the installation of monitoring equipment to support post construction seabird collision monitoring at offshore wind farms
AU - Valantiejus, Ž
AU - Boersch-Supan, P
AU - Thaxter, C
AU - Collier, M
AU - Page, A
AU - Boronkay, C
AB - This document provides best practice guidance for the design and installation of seabird collision monitoring equipment in offshore wind farms. It is intended to sit alongside project‑specific monitoring plans, OEM documentation, and site‑specific design requirements, providing a common reference for developers, manufacturers, and monitoring specialists. The guidance is structured to support planning and delivery across the project lifecycle, from early design and procurement through to installation, operation, and maintenance. It presents practical, experience‑based recommendations rather than step‑by‑step instructions, and is intended to be adapted to different project contexts, foundation types, and regulatory frameworks. Sections on retrofitting campaigns and integrated designs support selection of an appropriate installation approach by outlining typical challenges, risks, and trade‑offs. The installation design case studies illustrate how selected concepts can be translated into workable engineering solutions. These examples are representative rather than prescriptive, demonstrating application of design principles while recognising that site conditions, equipment specifications, and OEM requirements will vary between projects. The key recommendations section consolidates the main messages as concise, actionable points mapped to common stages of collision monitoring campaigns. It can be used as a checklist to support early design discussions, review proposed installation concepts, and confirm that key technical, logistical, and safety considerations have been addressed prior to deployment.
DA - 2026/05//
PY - 2026
SP - 63
PB - The Carbon Trust
UR - https://www.carbontrust.com/our-work-and-impact/impact-stories/large-scale-rd-projects-offshore-wind/best-practice-for-data-and-equipment-installation-design-for-seabird-collision-monitoring-at-offshore-wind-farms
LA - English
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Fixed Offshore Wind
KW - Floating Offshore Wind
KW - Collision
KW - Birds
KW - Seabirds
ER -
Export Citation to RIS

Abstract

This document provides best practice guidance for the design and installation of seabird collision monitoring equipment in offshore wind farms. It is intended to sit alongside project‑specific monitoring plans, OEM documentation, and site‑specific design requirements, providing a common reference for developers, manufacturers, and monitoring specialists. 

The guidance is structured to support planning and delivery across the project lifecycle, from early design and procurement through to installation, operation, and maintenance. It presents practical, experience‑based recommendations rather than step‑by‑step instructions, and is intended to be adapted to different project contexts, foundation types, and regulatory frameworks. 

Sections on retrofitting campaigns and integrated designs support selection of an appropriate installation approach by outlining typical challenges, risks, and trade‑offs. The installation design case studies illustrate how selected concepts can be translated into workable engineering solutions. These examples are representative rather than prescriptive, demonstrating application of design principles while recognising that site conditions, equipment specifications, and OEM requirements will vary between projects. 

The key recommendations section consolidates the main messages as concise, actionable points mapped to common stages of collision monitoring campaigns. It can be used as a checklist to support early design discussions, review proposed installation concepts, and confirm that key technical, logistical, and safety considerations have been addressed prior to deployment.