In Germany, systems for demand-driven night marking of wind turbines (BNK) are increasingly being realized with solutions based on transponder technology. Wobben Properties GmbH holds various patents in this field. Until now, Dark Sky had not acquired a license for these patents but has now reached an agreement with Wobben Properties on a contract.
Dark Sky specializes in decentralized BNK systems, where each wind turbine uses a single transponder receiver. The BNK provider had previously criticized Wobben Properties' licensing system as disadvantaging its solution. Decentralized BNK systems are important for providing cost-effective solutions for individual turbines and heterogeneous wind farms. They do not require integration into communication networks and can be installed quickly and easily.
Wobben Properties and Dark Sky have now agreed on a licensing contract. Thomas Herrholz, Managing Director of Dark Sky GmbH, stated: "With the proposed billing per wind turbine, we can accept the adjusted contract, and we are pleased with the amicable solution, which now guarantees full legal certainty for our customers." The agreement covers not only new installations but also all systems already installed by Dark Sky. Through the settlement, which was reached in April 2022, all legal disputes have been resolved. Dark Sky and Wobben Properties are now working together to ensure that the BNK market is shaped by fair and uniform conditions, helping the industry achieve its ambitious goals for complete BNK retrofitting of new and existing turbines within the planned timeframe.