AI innovates offshore wind inspections

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In this newsletter, we are excited to showcase the latest advancements from UK-headquartered tech player Beam. Formed by the merger of Rovco and Vaarst, Beam has achieved a significant milestone in marine technology and underwater robotics with the development and deployment of what is being hailed as the world’s first autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) driven by artificial intelligence (AI).

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AI-powered underwater vehicle revolutionizes offshore wind inspections: A game-changer for the renewable energy sector

The global shift towards renewable energy is advancing at an unprecedented rate, and offshore wind farms have emerged as a cornerstone in the fight against climate change. These colossal infrastructures, often situated in harsh marine environments, require regular, thorough inspections to ensure they maintain structural integrity, safety, and operational efficiency. Traditionally, these inspections involved a labor-intensive process, relying on skilled divers or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) controlled from the surface. These methods, while effective, are costly, time-consuming, and carry inherent safety risks.

Recent technological innovations, however, are reshaping this landscape. AI-powered autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are now leading the way, transforming how these inspections are carried out. One of the most significant developments in this realm is the launch of the world’s first AI-driven autonomous underwater vehicle by Beam, a leader in high-tech offshore wind services. This groundbreaking innovation promises to revolutionize offshore wind farm inspections, delivering efficiency improvements, cost reductions, and more precise, high-quality data. This article explores the implications of this cutting-edge technology, its potential impact on the offshore wind sector, and the promising future of AI-driven underwater inspections.

Beam’s revolutionary AI-driven autonomous underwater vehicle

Beam’s AI-powered autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) has set a new benchmark in offshore wind inspections. Its first deployment occurred at the Seagreen offshore wind farm, Scotland's largest and the world’s deepest fixed-bottom offshore wind farm, operational since October 2023. This offshore project is a joint venture between SSE Renewables, TotalEnergies, and PTTEP, and it represents a significant milestone in the renewable energy landscape.

The AI-powered vehicle developed by Beam is a technological marvel. It operates autonomously and can handle intricate underwater inspections without the need for human intervention. Once deployed, the vehicle is capable of transmitting data in real-time back to shore, enabling teams to focus on high-priority tasks while the vehicle performs the inspections independently. This remarkable capability reduces the time required for inspections by up to 50%, which translates into substantial operational cost savings for offshore wind farm operators.

A new era in offshore wind inspections

Traditional inspection techniques for offshore wind farms have long relied on divers and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). While effective, these approaches are both laborious and costly, requiring extensive human intervention and significant logistical planning. Offshore environments are also fraught with dangers for personnel, who face unpredictable weather conditions, strong currents, and remote locations. The advent of AI-powered AUVs, like the one developed by Beam, offers a radical shift in how these inspections are conducted.

The AI-driven AUV is equipped with advanced sensors and imaging technology, enabling it to autonomously perform highly detailed underwater inspections. The vehicle can navigate complex subsea structures and carry out tasks such as assessing turbine foundations, monitoring for marine growth, and detecting signs of erosion or structural damage. By eliminating the need for human intervention in such challenging environments, the AUV enhances the overall safety and efficiency of the inspection process. This advancement is especially crucial as offshore wind farms are increasingly being constructed in deeper and more remote waters, where traditional inspection methods become even more difficult and hazardous.

The Seagreen wind farm: A case study in innovation

The Seagreen wind farm, located off the coast of Scotland, has served as an ideal testing ground for Beam’s AI-powered AUV. With a capacity of 1.1 GW, Seagreen is the deepest fixed-bottom offshore wind farm in the world, and Beam’s autonomous vehicle was tasked with inspecting the jacket structures that support the wind turbines. These jacket structures are essential for the stability and longevity of the turbines, and they require regular inspections to ensure they remain in optimal condition.

Using its AI-driven AUV, Beam was able to complete these inspections with unprecedented precision and speed. The vehicle collected critical data on marine growth, erosion risks at the turbine foundations, and high-resolution visual information for the creation of 3D reconstructions of the structures. These 3D models provide operators with a comprehensive view of the condition of the wind farm’s assets, enabling them to make informed decisions about maintenance and repairs.

The success of this project has underscored the potential for autonomous technology to revolutionize the inspection of large offshore wind superstructures. Matthew Henderson, Technical Asset Manager for Substructure and Asset Lifecycle at SSE Renewables, emphasized the importance of this innovation, stating, “At SSE, we have a mantra that ‘if it’s not safe, we don’t do it.’ 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.”

The benefits of AI-driven underwater inspections

The introduction of AI-powered AUVs like Beam’s offers numerous benefits to the offshore wind industry, going beyond simple cost reduction to enhance safety, operational efficiency, and data quality. The following are some of the most significant advantages:

Increased efficiency and cost savings

Beam’s AI-powered AUV can complete inspections in half the time compared to traditional methods, resulting in immediate cost savings. The ability to operate autonomously reduces the need for human divers and ROV operators, cutting operational costs associated with transport, accommodation, and safety measures. As offshore wind farms are built further offshore in deeper waters, the ability to reduce inspection time and costs becomes even more valuable.

Enhanced safety for offshore personnel

Offshore environments are inherently risky, with harsh weather and challenging marine conditions. By deploying autonomous AUVs, offshore wind operators can minimize the number of personnel required on-site, reducing the risks associated with offshore work. This aligns with many operators' focus on safety-first strategies, as demonstrated by Matthew Henderson’s comments regarding SSE Renewables’ approach to offshore operations.

Improved data quality and 3D reconstructions

Beam’s AI-powered AUV is equipped with cutting-edge sensors and imaging systems, allowing it to capture highly detailed visual data during inspections. This data is used to create 3D reconstructions of underwater structures, providing operators with detailed insights into the condition of their assets. This level of precision enables better asset management and more informed maintenance planning, ultimately extending the lifespan of the wind farm.

Real-time data transmission

One of the standout features of Beam’s AI-driven AUV is its ability to transmit data in real-time back to shore. This capability allows offshore teams to monitor inspections remotely, reducing the need for human presence on-site and enabling quicker decision-making regarding asset maintenance and repairs.

Supporting the global energy transition

As the world moves toward cleaner energy sources, offshore wind farms will play a crucial role in the global energy transition. However, maintaining these massive structures efficiently is vital for the success of this shift. Beam’s AI-powered AUV supports this goal by making inspections faster, safer, and more cost-effective, ultimately contributing to the scalability of renewable energy projects.

The roadmap for AI-driven offshore wind inspections

Beam’s deployment of the world’s first AI-powered AUV marks only the beginning of the company’s vision for the future. The company plans to roll out this technology across its fleet of DP2 vessels, ROVs, and AUVs by 2025 and 2026. This expanded fleet will further cement Beam’s position as a leader in offshore wind inspections, revolutionizing how the renewable energy sector approaches asset maintenance.

In addition to scaling its fleet, Beam is also making substantial investments in other complementary technologies. The company recently announced a £15 million investment into the development of Xplorer ASVs (Autonomous Surface Vehicles) and the Quantum EV electric work-class ROV. These new technologies will enhance Beam’s ability to conduct efficient, cost-effective offshore inspections, providing the renewable energy sector with a full suite of autonomous solutions.

Challenges and future prospects

While the potential for AI-powered AUVs is vast, there are challenges to overcome. Developing and deploying autonomous technology in offshore environments requires significant investments in both hardware and software. Moreover, integrating AI-driven systems with existing offshore wind operations may necessitate changes in workflows, processes, and operator training.

However, the long-term benefits far outweigh these initial challenges. As offshore wind farms expand into deeper and more remote waters, the need for cost-effective, scalable inspection methods will only grow. AI-powered AUVs offer a promising solution to these challenges, enabling the renewable energy sector to meet the demands of the future while reducing costs and risks.

Conclusion

Beam’s launch of the world’s first AI-powered autonomous underwater vehicle marks a transformative moment in the evolution of offshore wind inspections. By leveraging the power of AI, Beam has developed a cutting-edge technology that enhances efficiency, safety, and data quality, setting a new standard for the industry. As the world accelerates its transition to clean energy, innovations like Beam’s AI-powered AUV will be critical to ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of renewable energy projects.

The Seagreen wind farm has proven that autonomous underwater inspections are not just a possibility but a reality, paving the way for wider adoption of this technology in the future. As the offshore wind sector continues to grow, AI-driven solutions will play a pivotal role in optimizing operations, lowering costs, and supporting the global transition to a more sustainable energy future.

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