Beam, a pioneering company in autonomous marine technology, deployed the world’s first AI-driven autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to inspect offshore wind farms, marking an impressive breakthrough in underwater robotics. Seagreen offshore wind farm, Scotland’s largest and the world’s deepest fixed-bottom wind farm utilized their innovative solution. The AI-powered AUV conducted inspections of the wind farm’s jacket structures autonomously, drastically reducing the need for human intervention.
This deployment signifies a major advancement in offshore wind farm maintenance, addressing the traditionally labor-intensive and costly nature of such inspections. Beam’s AUV offers not only cost savings but also a 50% reduction in inspection times, streaming critical data back to shore in real time. The technology also enhances the quality of inspections, enabling high-resolution 3D reconstructions of submerged assets alongside conventional visual data. This will allow operators like SSE Renewables to make informed decisions about asset integrity, minimizing risks and bolstering operational efficiency.
As Beam prepares to expand its fleet of DP2 vessels, ROVs, and AUVs by 2025-2026, this AI-driven technology is set to revolutionize offshore wind farm operations. The success at Seagreen underlines the potential of autonomous tech to transform the renewable energy sector by making operations safer, faster, and more cost-effective, ultimately contributing to global energy transition efforts.
Beam’s collaboration with forward-thinking partners such as SSE Renewables highlights the importance of embracing cutting-edge technologies to meet ambitious sustainability targets. The data generated from these inspections will be crucial for ongoing maintenance, tracking critical issues such as marine growth and foundation erosion, and ensuring offshore energy infrastructure’s long-term reliability.
— Blackout AI editors
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