Offshore wind services provider Beam has deployed an autonomous underwater vehicle controlled by artificial intelligence (AI).
The technology has already been used to inspect jacket structures on Seagreen wind farm, Scotland’s largest offshore site, a joint venture between SSE Renewables, TotalEnergies and PTT Exploration and Production.
The vehicle has been developed to perform complex underwater tasks with no human intervention to boost the efficiency of underwater inspections and surveys.
Beam has said that moving away from remote operation, along with the streaming of data directly back to shore, will allow offshore workers to concentrate on the more complex elements of their roles.
This reportedly reduces inspection timelines by up to 50% and improves quality of the inspection data to enable 3D reconstruction of assets alongside virtual data.
READ MORE: Transparent marine robots begin trialling underwater operations
The company will roll out the technology across its fleet of DP2 vessels, remotely operated vehicles and autonomous underwater vehicles throughout 2025 and 2026.
Brian Allen, CEO of Beam, said: “Automation can revolutionise how we carry out inspection and maintenance of offshore wind farms, helping to reduce both costs and timelines.
“Looking ahead to the future, the potential of this technology is huge for the industry, and success in these initial projects is vital for us to progress and realise this vision.
“This wouldn’t be possible without forward-thinking customers like SSE Renewables who are willing to go on the journey with us.”
READ MORE: ORE Catapult and National Robotarium to deliver offshore RAS project
Matthew Henderson, technical asset manager – substructure and asset lifecycle at SSE Renewables, added: “Beam’s technology demonstrates that autonomous inspections can reduce the personnel we need to send offshore for planned inspections, while speeding up planned works and collecting rich data-sets to inform asset integrity planning.
“As we move further offshore, and into deeper waters, the ability to collect high-quality inspection data in a low-risk manner is imperative to us delivering our Net Zero Acceleration Programme.”
Achievements in offshore innovation will be highlighted and celebrated at the second annual Robotics & Automation Awards on 06 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.roboticsandautomationawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable industry event – and to book your table!
