In a wave tank at a robotics lab in Edinburgh, Scotland, engineers silently watch as an underwater drone secretly rises to the surface.
The team that led the development of the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) at Heriot-Watt University believes the submersible machine is a game-changer for offshore wind farms because it eliminates the need for divers.
Engineers believe it will soon be able to carry out inspections and maintenance on wind farms, transforming the nature of risky and costly ventures as the industry braces for huge expansion.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised to make the UK the ‘Saudi Arabia’ of wind power, with plans to generate enough offshore electricity to power every UK home by 2030.
With Johnson on his way out of office, the industry is banking on expansion plans, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has pushed up the price of traditional carbon energy.
“We have to imagine that in 10, 15 years there will be hundreds of wind farms, which means thousands of wind turbines all along the UK coast,” said Yvan Petillot, professor of robotics and autonomous systems at Heriot-Watt AFP.
“You also have hydrogen technology that is being developed and all of this needs to be serviced, inspected and serviced.
“What we are developing are remote technologies that would allow people to inspect and maintain these assets from shore without putting anyone at risk.”
– accumulation of microorganisms –
In May, the ROV, equipped with sensors and advanced software, performed what is believed to be the first autonomous inspection of offshore wind farms.
The device was deployed at French energy company EDF’s Blyth wind farm off the Northumberland coast in north-east England.
Videos were successfully recorded, allowing researchers to assess the external condition of turbine foundations and cables.
Meanwhile, his software created a 3D reconstruction model of parts of the energy company’s subsea assets.
According to Petillot, the 3D model can see the accumulation of microorganisms, plants and algae on the turbine foundations.
If a problem is identified, the ROV system can be deployed with a robotic arm to perform a repair.
“The system will first perform an autonomous inspection of the seabed and structure, and create the 3D model that someone can look at from shore and say, ‘There’s a problem here,'” Petillot said.
“Usually the system has corrosion, you might need to turn a valve, you might need to connect a wire, you might need to change an anode and clean the surface if there’s too much biofouling.”
Maxime Duchet, offshore wind research engineer at EDF, said the imagery and models will greatly improve the ability to conduct on-site operations and maintenance activities.
– ‘Safer and faster’ –
More tests are needed to estimate the time required to inspect all turbine foundations and demonstrate the full potential of marine robot technology, he noted.
“However, these initial results indicate that the technology can ensure safer and faster operations and a reduced carbon footprint,” added Duchet.
Engineers using a joystick to control the vehicle say the ROV can be left alone with its primary mapping task most of the time.
If it gets stuck or lingers in a certain area for too long, a pilot can seize it.
Petillot said one long-term benefit could be more people who may not have been willing or able to work abroad to join the team managing the ROV remotely.
It’s incredibly difficult to find a diver or a qualified pilot for such projects, he noted.
In contrast, according to Petillot, finding someone to help control the system should be much easier than playing a video game.
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