The Autonomous Remote Offshore Wind Inspection, Navigation and Deployment (AROWIND) Project launched last year, and Voyis has provided an update on the successful testing of this proposed offshore wind inspection solution.
Offshore wind energy has emerged as a beacon of hope in the global pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. With its potential to unlock vast energy resources while minimizing environmental impact, offshore wind farms represent a pivotal step towards a cleaner, greener future.
However, the inspection challenges inherent in offshore wind installations necessitate innovative solutions to ensure their structural integrity and operational efficiency.
In response to these challenges, Voyis, in collaboration with industry leaders and supported by Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC), launched the AROWIND Project last year. This groundbreaking initiative aims to revolutionize offshore wind inspections through the integration of advanced optical sensor technology with autonomous subsea vehicles.
By leveraging a stereo camera from Voyis, the HydroSurv USV, and the DeepTrekker ROV, the recent test demonstrated the seamless collaboration between these technologies to provide a comprehensive solution for subsea inspections of offshore energy structures.
The demonstrated capability was delivered by the following technologies:
- HydroSurv’s REAV60 USV – A long endurance USV platform, designed with an advanced launch and recovery system (LARs) to deploy the project’s subsea inspection solution. The REAV60 provides operators with significant cost savings and reduces environmental impact when compared to the current methodology for offshore deployments.
- DeepTrekker’ Revolution ROV – Providing highly versatile inspection capabilities in a small and highly cost-effective package. The Revolution can house state of the art inspection payloads while minimizing overall survey costs and improving customer workflow with vehicle operation simplicity.
- Voyis’ Discovery Stereo Camera – AROWIND’s inspection sensor, delivering actionable high-fidelity datasets (stills, video, and 3D models) in real-time for optimized asset management and predictive maintenance. The Discovery Stereo can generate a digital twin, with millimetric resolution, of offshore assets to use as a foundation for greater confidence in asset management (easily perform change detection at a granular scale, map potential developments for future installations, accurately predict maintenance and mitigation regimes earlier in the field lifecycle).
The combined solution of these three technological advancements offers a positive change in subsea inspection capabilities, that is transferable across the entire Blue Economy. The presence of representatives from each company underscores the collaborative effort and commitment to delivering a solution that meets the industry’s evolving needs.
The AROWIND Project represents a paradigm shift in offshore wind inspections. By harnessing the expertise of leading companies and leveraging innovative technology, the project aims to address the cost, efficiency, and safety challenges associated with traditional inspection methods.
The demonstration of the combined solution delivers a promising future of remote operations by capturing actionable datasets of an offshore wind installation through the Discovery Stereo Camera, without the associated cost and environmental impact that comes with traditional crewed operations.
Moreover, the AROWIND Project is not just about addressing immediate industry needs; it is about setting a new industry standard. The innovative solutions developed through this initiative have the potential to transcend boundaries and find applications in diverse sectors, from marine research to underwater infrastructure inspections.
As the AROWIND Project progresses, its impact will extend far beyond the realm of offshore wind inspections. By reducing operational costs, enhancing safety, and promoting sustainability, the project paves the way for a more efficient and resilient offshore wind energy sector.
The collaboration among industry leaders and the infusion of innovative technology exemplifies the spirit of innovation driving the transition towards a cleaner, greener future.
The testing took place recently in Plymouth, UK, marking a significant milestone in the development of the AROWIND Project.
