Automatic Detection and Analysis of Wind Turbine Locations using AI and Satellite Data

30 November 2023, by Justus Middendorf

Photo: Peter Beukema

The development of onshore wind energy plays a crucial role in the global effort to achieve a sustainable energy transition. This project requires precise planning, especially for the construction of new wind farms and the optimisation of existing ones. In Germany, operators are legally obliged to register their wind turbines in the Market Master Data Register (MaStR). Unfortunately, this register suffers from significant shortcomings in terms of the accuracy of the site data, which makes the planning of new turbines and repowering measures difficult.

This project aims to improve the database by using existing satellite imagery and databases. Using artificial intelligence, the data will be corrected and optimised to create a more accurate information base. While the success of these optimisations is not guaranteed, they have the potential to speed up the planning of new wind farms and identify potential sites and repowering measures. This could potentially enable operators and planners to make more informed decisions, contributing to the development of a forward-looking and environmentally friendly energy infrastructure.

Participants: Justus Middendorf