Exciting developments are shaking up the world of renewable energy and transportation: offshore wind farms and autonomous vehicles. In the U.K., a pioneering company named Beam is cleverly merging these innovations. Beam has launched the world’s first AI-driven autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designed specifically for inspecting the structures of offshore wind farms.
A Revolutionary Leap
Beam has successfully deployed this autonomous vehicle at Scotland’s largest offshore wind site, the Seagreen wind farm. This ambitious project is a collaboration between SSE Renewables, TotalEnergies, and PTTEP. The vehicle represents a significant advancement in marine technology by enabling fully autonomous inspections without human intervention. As a result, this drastically enhances efficiency and cuts inspection costs.
Traditional offshore wind inspections are typically cumbersome and labor-intensive. However, Beam’s cutting-edge AUV delivers data directly to shore, allowing human operators to concentrate on more complex tasks. It’s estimated that this technology can reduce inspection times by up to 50%, all while improving the quality of inspection data and creating detailed 3D reconstructions of installations.
Brian Allen, Beam’s CEO, highlights the transformational potential of this technology, stating, “Automation can revolutionize how we carry out inspection and maintenance of offshore wind farms, helping to reduce both costs and timelines.”
The Path Ahead
This innovative deployment marks just the beginning of Beam’s journey into the realm of autonomous technology. Looking forward, Allen indicates that the future is full of promise, noting, “The potential of this technology is huge for the industry, and success in these initial projects is vital for us to progress and realize this vision.” Over the next couple of years, Beam plans to expand the use of this AI-driven solution across its fleet of DP2 vessels, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and AUVs during 2025 and 2026.
In a world where efficiency and sustainability are paramount, Beam’s deployment aligns with a broader mission: to revolutionize offshore wind operations and support the global transition to cleaner energy sources.
The AI Buzz Hub team is excited to see where these breakthroughs take us. Want to stay in the loop on all things AI? Subscribe to our newsletter or share this article with your fellow enthusiasts.
