Shared Airspace: Results from Conference and impulses for action

The imminent expansion of renewable energies goes hand in hand with the expansion of the electricity grid. It is thus of critical importance to enter into dialogue and bring together differently motivated interests for the energy transition and species conservation.

This is principle behind our collaborative “Bird Portal” project, founded in 2017 by RGI, between NABU e.V. (Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union), the four German transmission system operators (TSOs) Amprion GmbH, 50 Hertz Transmission GmbH, TransnetBW GmbH, TenneT TSO GmbH, and currently three distribution system operators (DSOs), Westnetz GmbH, Netze BW GmbH und Bayernwerk Netz GmbH. Against this backdrop, on September 28, 2022, we held the conference “Shared Airsapce: Towards a Bird-Friendly Power Grid” in Dortmund.

The aim of the conference was to anchor bird protection in the electricity grid in Germany, but also across national borders, in the debate on nature-compatible grid expansion and equally to uncover hurdles and ways of implementation. At the event, a lively exchange between various stakeholders took place, which has given a lot of impetus to the project of the Bird Portal, as well as to the topic of bird protection around the power grid.

The results of these discussions have now been summarised in a report (in German, find it here). In order to also provide a quick overview of the results, we have summarised the results in a one page “Impulses for Action” document, which can also be downloaded below.

As we continue to work together toward a bird-friendly power grid, these documents can serve as inspiration and a foundation for future activities. We look forward to following up on the many topics of discussion and creating synergies among the many organisations and individuals represented at the event.

If you have any questions or ideas for further initiatives within the scope of this theme, please feel free to contact us below.