In the wave of global energy transition, offshore wind power is becoming increasingly important as a clean and renewable form of energy. With the continuous breakthrough of technology and the continuous expansion of scale, the operation and maintenance management of offshore wind farms has become a key link to ensure the stable supply and sustainable development of energy. Recently, the Seagreen Wind Farm in Scotland successfully tested the world's first AI-powered autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), an innovative initiative that marks a revolutionary change in the field of offshore wind inspection and maintenance.
Seagreen Wind Farm: The shining pearl of deep-sea green energy
Located off the coast of Scotland, the Seagreen Wind Farm is the brainchild of three energy giants: SSE Renewables, TotalEnergies and PTTEP. With an altitude depth of 58.6 meters, a vast lineup of 114 wind turbines, and a total installed capacity of 1,075 MW, the project proudly ranks among the world's deepest fixed-bottom offshore wind farms. Seagreen not only contributes about 500 billion watt-hours of green electricity per year, enough to meet the needs of two-thirds of Scottish households, but also is a shining pearl in the transformation of the global energy structure.
AI Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV): An intelligent pioneer in deep-sea O&M
The AI Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), developed by Beam in Aberdeen, Scotland, was the centerpiece of the test. The submersible, which integrates advanced artificial intelligence technology, aims to revolutionize the inspection process of offshore wind farms through automation. Its unique ability to autonomously plan routes, perform inspections, and transmit critical data in real-time is expected to cut inspection time in half, greatly improving operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Figure: The world's first AI submersible reduces inspection time for offshore wind farms by 50%
Technological innovation: from relying on human power to intelligent autonomy
Traditional offshore wind farm inspections rely on manual work by a team of professionals in harsh sea conditions, which is not only time-consuming, laborious, but also poses a high safety risk. Beam's AUVs, on the other hand, have excellent autonomous navigation capabilities, high-precision sensor arrays, and high-definition camera systems to monitor key facilities such as wind turbine foundations and submarine cables. This technological innovation not only reduces the burden on personnel, but also provides strong support for preventive maintenance and rapid response to faults through real-time data analysis and early warning mechanisms.
Insights from industry leaders: a leap forward in safety and efficiency
Matthew Henderson of SSE Renewables spoke highly of the AUV technology: "Beam's technology not only significantly reduces the number of people we send to sea, but also dramatically speeds up inspections and ensures the quality and accuracy of the data. This is critical for us to expand our wind power projects deeper and farther into the ocean, and is a key step in achieving safe and efficient O&M.”
Future prospects: a new ecology of the marine industry empowered by AI
Looking ahead, as AUV technology continues to mature and become popular, it is expected to achieve full deployment by 2026. This change will not only profoundly change the operation and maintenance mode of offshore wind farms, but also have a far-reaching impact on marine scientific research, resource exploration and other fields. The wide application of AUVs will further improve the safety and efficiency of marine operations, reduce environmental risks and operating costs, and contribute to the construction of a green and sustainable marine economic system.
Epilogue
The successful test of the world's first AI autonomous underwater vehicle at the Seagreen Wind Farm is not only a major breakthrough in the field of offshore wind power operation and maintenance, but also a vivid practice of artificial intelligence and robotics in the field of renewable energy. This innovative achievement not only demonstrates the power and potential of science and technology, but also injects new vitality and hope into the global energy transition and the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals. With the continuous progress of technology and the continuous expansion of applications, we have reason to believe that the future offshore wind farms will serve human society more intelligently, efficiently and safely, and jointly write a new chapter of green development.
