Good practices
Good practices

Conference

Wingspan 2024 Partnerships for a bird-friendly energy transition

Conference

Topic

Bird Protection

Dimension

Energy & Nature
Calendar 15 October 2024
Location Brussels & Online

Organised by: RGI, TB Raab, and Elia Group

This conference was the first in a series of biennial conferences for conservationists, scientists, grid operators, renewable developers, and government representatives to share strategies and solutions for a nature-positive energy transition. Topics designed for an international audience covered recent scientific knowledge, state-of-the-art conservation strategies, and nature-inclusive technological innovations.

With 320 online and in-person attendees, the event brought together a diverse range of stakeholders—grid operators, NGOs, renewable energy developers, academics, and authorities—from across the globe to address the urgent need for a nature-friendly energy transition. The conference featured insightful panel discussions, scientific presentations, a workshop, a poster session, and a fair showcasing bird protection devices used along power lines and wind energy infrastructure.

Event outcomes

Key messages from the conference included:

  • The LIFE Programme is a critical funding source for collaborative projects between grid operators, renewable developers, NGOs, and academic institutions, enabling effective mitigation measures and fostering innovation.
  • While EU frameworks for nature protection and the deployment of renewable energy are in place, their implementation remains uneven across Member States, requiring further harmonisation.
  • Risk mapping is a valuable tool for identifying areas suitable for new projects and prioritising mitigation measures along operational infrastructure.
  • Robust data across all represented sectors is crucial for making informed, data-driven decisions for the acceleration of deployment of energy infrastructure.

On the first day of the conference, Wingspan featured an engaging vendor fair, showcasing technologies from around the world aimed at reducing the impact of energy infrastructure on bird populations. Exhibitors presented diverse solutions, including bird flight diverters, avian radar systems, and sensor-equipped wind turbine enhancements, all designed to protect avian species while supporting the shift to sustainable energy. Attendees had the unique opportunity to interact directly with manufacturers, gaining insights into the latest innovations in bird-friendly energy infrastructure. List of the manufacturers present at the fair:

On the second day, a dedicated poster session showcased scientific studies, best practices, and pioneering projects exploring the interactions between power lines, wind farms, and bird populations. Participants had the chance to engage in in-depth discussions, delving into both the scientific methodologies and the practical applications of these initiatives. All posters are available for download below.

RGI also hosted a parallel workshop to discuss the “7 Principles for a Bird-Friendly Grid,” endorsed by Europe’s conservation community. This workshop featured breakout sessions where representatives from power grid operators and civil society came together to explore solutions outlined in the document and discussed ways forward. A summary of the workshop’s outcomes will be published in the coming months.

The conference concluded with a site visit coordinated by Elia and Natuurpunt, to Elia’s Noordschote substation, where attendees observed bird protection measures in action. The day ended with a tour of the beautiful Blankaert Nature Reserve, where participants had the opportunity to discuss future developments in bird protection technologies and witness firsthand the reserve’s conservation efforts to safeguard populations.

This year’s Wingspan emphasised the importance of multi-sector partnerships in ensuring a sustainable energy transition. The best practices, site visit, and connections formed during the event have laid the groundwork for a more nature-friendly approach to energy development. RGI looks forward to continuing these discussions at the next edition in 2026.

Wingspan 2024 was organised within the framework of the SafeLines4Birds, LIFE EUROKITE, and LIFE Great Bustard projects.

Photos

View all the photos from our conference in our Flickr gallery here.

Recordings

Day 1
Day 2

contact

Manon Thiel (Quetstroey)

Manager – Energy and Nature

Manon Thiel (Quetstroey)

Manager – Energy and Nature

t: +49 30 2332 11034
Manon joined RGI in 2022. She is currently working as a Manager in the Energy and Nature team and is in charge of the SafeLines4Birds project. Prior to RGI, Manon worked as an ecologist in a consulting office in Berlin, engaged in the protection of bat populations in Europe in the context of onshore wind energy projects. She also worked on diverse projects in Africa, particularly in the protection and conservation of African mammals. Manon holds a Master’s degree in Biodiversity conservation from Université de Perpignan in France and completed her Master’s thesis in South Africa.

Manon Thiel (Quetstroey)

Manager – Energy and Nature

Manon Thiel (Quetstroey)

Manager – Energy and Nature

t: +49 30 2332 11034
Manon joined RGI in 2022. She is currently working as a Manager in the Energy and Nature team and is in charge of the SafeLines4Birds project. Prior to RGI, Manon worked as an ecologist in a consulting office in Berlin, engaged in the protection of bat populations in Europe in the context of onshore wind energy projects. She also worked on diverse projects in Africa, particularly in the protection and conservation of African mammals. Manon holds a Master’s degree in Biodiversity conservation from Université de Perpignan in France and completed her Master’s thesis in South Africa.