Offshore wind expertise firm Beam has deployed the world’s first AI-driven autonomous underwater car (AUV) – a breakthrough in offshore wind inspections.
The cutting-edge tech was put to the take a look at at Seagreen, Scotland’s largest offshore website, which is a joint venture between SSE Renewables, TotalEnergies, and PTTEP.
This new AI-driven autonomous underwater car is a recreation changer for a way underwater inspections are performed, because it makes them sooner and extra reasonably priced. The system is totally autonomous, that means it may carry out detailed inspections with none human involvement and ship information immediately again to shore.
Why this issues
Historically, inspections at offshore wind farms have been time-consuming, handbook operations. Beam’s AI-driven AUV can deal with these duties by itself, reducing inspection occasions by as much as 50%. Meaning decrease prices and fewer folks wanted offshore. Plus, the car’s superior tech gathers higher information, together with 3D fashions, so groups could make extra knowledgeable choices about asset upkeep.
The Aberdeen, Scotland-headquartered Beam is planning to develop this expertise throughout its total fleet over the subsequent few years, with full deployment anticipated by 2026.
“We’re thrilled to have rolled out the world’s first AI-driven underwater car,” mentioned Beam’s CEO Brian Allen. “This tech goes to reshape how we preserve and examine offshore wind farms by reducing down each prices and time. This success wouldn’t be potential with out forward-thinking companions like SSE Renewables.”
Seagreen wind farm: A testing floor for brand spanking new tech
Seagreen, at 58.6 meters (192 ft) and on-line since late 2023, is the deepest fixed-bottom offshore wind farm on the planet. Beam’s autonomous car has already supplied essential information from the positioning, together with insights on marine progress and erosion, which is able to assist make sure the long-term reliability of the wind farm.
Matthew Henderson from SSE Renewables emphasised the protection and effectivity beneficial properties: “Beam’s expertise permits us to cut back the variety of folks we ship offshore, pace up inspections, and get high-quality information that’s important as we push into deeper waters.”
What’s subsequent for the AI-driven autonomous underwater car?
Beam’s AI-powered inspection tech is ready to be rolled out throughout its fleet in 2025 and 2026. The corporate hopes this innovation will play a key function in making offshore wind operations extra environment friendly and cost-effective, supporting the worldwide shift towards clear vitality.
Try the video beneath to be taught extra in regards to the AI-powered AUV:
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