+44 (0)24 7671 8970
More publications     •     Advertise with us     •     Contact us
*/
{megaLeaderboard}
{normalLeaderboard}
News Article

Using sensor technology to protect vulnerable regions

News
Infineon Technologies AG is extending its collaboration with the NGO Rainforest Connection (RFCx). The partners pursue the common goal of monitoring the vulnerable regions of our earth with modern sensor technology.
The preservation of rainforests is crucial to prevent climate change. However, illegal deforestation and wildfires threaten the most vulnerable areas of our planet. At the heart of the Rainforest Connection's work are Guardian devices powered by solar electricity. These devices transmit live sound recordings from rainforests. Artificial intelligence is used to analyze the data, detecting sounds of threats. When the sound of chainsaws is detected, rangers are alerted on site and directed to the location. This facilitates greater ranger safety and the ability to monitor much larger areas to protect the world’s remaining forests from being illegally logged. Rainforest Connection Rainforest Connection has deployed over 500 of these devices in 30 countries to date, with active projects currently in 25 countries.


The hardware is also used to monitor biodiversity, such as the presence of primates, birds, frogs, insects, and bats. Rainforest Connection has collected more than 92 million minutes of sound recordings in recent years, including numerous recordings of endangered and endemic species. The recordings valuable for scientific research and informing conservation impact on the ground.

To ensure that the devices can not only “hear” but also “smell,” both partners are collaborating to equip a number of Guardian devices with Infineon's XENSIV PAS CO2 sensor. The goal is to considerably expand the database for recording biodiversity: in the future, sound recordings can be linked with other information including temperature, humidity, ozone and now CO2. Rainforest Connection will be able to add CO2 data to their biodiversity analysis to look for further insights on forest health and to identify areas that need to be protected. The teams are also looking forward to seeing if there are links in how animals react to sensitive changes in the microclimate.

Rainforest Connection has already deployed ten of these devices in Brazil during the summer of 2022. The deployment showed that the CO2 sensor provides tremendous data that will help monitor biodiversity. The teams are also exploring how advanced sensors can be used to detect wildfires. However, this will require further analysis using artificial intelligence. There are plans for further testing in 2023.

“By using gas sensors, we can link acoustic information about the biodiversity on site with information about the microclimate,” said Bourhan Yassin, CEO at Rainforest Connection. “This allows completely new insights into what effects, for example, climate change has on the particularly vulnerable regions of our planet. The recent Kunming-Montreal deal validates the importance and urgency of allocating more resources to better preserve and protect our forests and biodiversity, and our Guardian acoustic monitoring hardware powered by Infineon sensor technology helps us do just that.”

"Our CO 2 sensor, and its innovative and robust operating principle, creates a solution we are excited to see deployed into a low power rainforest environment. We believe that innovative technology solutions, that push the boundaries of what is possible, can contribute significantly to help protect the particularly threatened regions of our planet. This is crucial for global climate protection. We are pleased to be working together with the Rainforest Connection towards this goal," says Adrian Mikolajczak, Vice President, Silicon Valley Innovation Center.

Guzman Energy Secures PPA with Sonnedix for New 110 MW Solar Project
Lightsource bp, Schroders Greencoat and H&M Group solar partnership powers up
Lightsource bp, Schroders Greencoat and H&M Group solar partnership powers up
ENVIRIA secures financing facility in the double-digit million euro range
k-Space Launches Its Newest Thin Film Metrology Solution
Ingeteam signs a supply agreement for almost 500 MW of photovoltaics in Spain with Matrix Renewables
Enphase Expands IQ8 Microinverter Deployments in Netherlands
Masdar to Develop 5 GW of Renewable Energy Projects
Streamlining planning and permitting can accelerate wind and solar development
Fluke Calibration launches new 5560A High-Performance Multi-Product Calibrator
Ingeteam, record new orders for operation and maintenance in 2022
UK solar innovator Naked Energy continues European expansion
Qcells to invest $2.5B to build complete US solar supply chain
Vicinity Centres and Enel X enter joint venture agreement
Sonnedix acquires a 300MW solar PV portfolio from Lightsource bp
L&G NTR Clean Power Fund Acquires Three Solar Projects in Spain
Using sensor technology to protect vulnerable regions
BayWa r.e. supports Schaeffler Group's sustainability goals through sale of solar park
BayWa r.e. supports Schaeffler Group's sustainability goals through sale of solar park
3D-Micromac and Schott join forces
Octopus Energy acquires Zestec Renewable Energy
Midsummer signs four LOI’s for 224 MW of thin film panels
ib vogt starts construction on 149 MWp project in Spain
NTR achieves commercial operation at 86MW Norra Vedbo Wind Farm
Atomically-thin ribbons can dramatically improve batteries
k-Space Glass Breakage Detection System for Glass and Solar Panels Also Verifies Color
Business Rating Revaluation for England & Wales could have a big impact on solar
Veolia awarded £27 million contract to cut carbon and energy costs for NHS
ib vogt completes 116 MWp Solar Project in Malaysia
Masdar Acquires Arlington Energy
Hitachi Energy hands over North Sea Link, the first interconnector between Norway and the UK
ENCAVIS finances two solar parks in Denmark

×
Search the news archive

To close this popup you can press escape or click the close icon.
Logo
×
Logo
×
Register - Step 1

You may choose to subscribe to the Solar + Power Magazine, the Solar + Power Newsletter, or both. You may also request additional information if required, before submitting your application.


Please subscribe me to:

 

You chose the industry type of "Other"

Please enter the industry that you work in:
Please enter the industry that you work in: