Proconics, a leader in engineering solutions, has secured a pivotal contract to introduce South Africa’s inaugural IdentiFlight system.
This groundbreaking project, a collaborative effort with the KAP group for renewable energy strategy, marks a significant step forward in harnessing cutting-edge technology for environmental conservation and advancing South Africa’s energy transition.
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Pioneering Collaboration to Preserve Biodiversity
The IdentiFlight system will serve as a research unit to enhance the understanding and protection of vulnerable species in South Africa, including the cape vulture, Verreaux’s eagle, and black harrier. This unique venture aligns with Proconics’ core mission to address local challenges with indigenous expertise and innovation.
Melvin Jones, CEO of Proconics Group, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership with the KAP group, stating, “Partnering with the KAP group to bring this innovation to South Africa gets me really excited. Solving South African problems with South African talent is the driving force behind Proconics. We’re working with KAP to provide a world-class engineered solution, using the IdentiFlight system. This is a first for the country, and is a meaningful step in the RSA just energy transition.”
A Technological Marvel with Environmental Impact
The IdentiFlight system is a marriage of artificial intelligence and high-precision optical technology, capable of detecting and categorizing avian species from distances of up to one kilometer, achieving accuracy rates exceeding 99%. Furthermore, its proprietary algorithms and neural network technologies process images within seconds, providing real-time 3D position, velocity, trajectory, and species identification, especially focusing on sensitive species.
Dirk van der Walt, the technical lead at Proconics for this project, conveyed his personal excitement about the venture, stating, “As a twitcher, this project excites me personally and as an engineer, one can make major impacts in the environment. I’ve been involved in many projects where Proconics has used measurement and automation to protect major infrastructure and mega-assets, and I can truly say this one is very exciting.”
Merging Technological Expertise with Environmental Preservation
The collaboration between Proconics and the KAP group is groundbreaking, as it integrates technical prowess with innovative solutions to address multiple challenges simultaneously. Dirk van der Walt explained, “We’re combining our technical expertise with cutting-edge solutions to simultaneously solve our energy crisis, protect critical assets, and preserve our environment and local biodiversity. We look forward to a collaboration that will shape South Africa’s energy environment in the future.”
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
IdentiFlight has a proven track record, having been deployed in wind farms on four continents since 2016 to detect and mitigate hazards to vulnerable avian species. The system offers a proactive solution, enabling the selective shutdown of specific turbines to prevent harm to protected birds. It can be installed for data collection and monitoring at both prospective and operational wind farm locations.
Independent tests have confirmed the effectiveness of IdentiFlight in reducing avian fatalities in wind farms by more than 85%. This technology not only serves as a safeguard for wildlife but also as an essential component in the journey towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious energy future in South Africa.
IdentiFlight System: a Move to a More Sustainable South Africa
This collaboration and the introduction of the IdentiFlight system signify a major leap forward for environmental preservation and energy sustainability in South Africa. It reflects the nation’s commitment to utilizing innovative technology to safeguard vulnerable species and address its growing energy challenges, shaping a more promising and eco-conscious future for the country.