SBM Offshore and Microsoft have agreed to collaborate on developing standardized, AI-powered carbon-free floating power generation services.
The arrangement combines SBM Offshore’s experience in ocean energy infrastructure with Microsoft’s AI and cloud computing solutions.
One aim is to provide reliable and dispatchable electricity for electrification and regional grid integration.
The partnership will consider new methods for integrating cloud-based solutions, advanced analytics and AI into floating power generation.
They plan to offer AI-powered asset lifecycle assessment, real-time carbon measurement, reporting and verification, and predictive maintenance using Microsoft Copilot, Copilot Studio, Azure AI Foundry and Fabric.
SBM Offshore’s focus for the floating platforms will be on enhancing system reliability, optimized energy efficiency and flexibility, reduced time to commission and loweriing operational costs.
The initial phase of the collaboration will focus on deployment of floating gas power solutions with integrated carbon capture and storage (CCS) on the UK and Norwegian continental shelves, drawing on SBM Offshore’s existing cooperation with Ocean-Power in Norway.
Ocean-Power’s Blue Power Hub concept involves producing electricity using gas turbines combined with CCS to reduce CO2 emissions. The hub is designed to supply power to offshore facilities and to national grids.
Other recent Microsoft deals in the energy sector include:
- May 2024: Ørsted clinched an agreement to sell a further 1 MMmt of carbon removal to Microsoft from the Avedøre power station in Denmark.
- February 2024: Offshore telecommunications operator Tampnet entered into a collaboration with Microsoft. Tampnet will integrate Microsoft Azure Private 5G core and Azure private Multi-edge Compute capabilities into its services.
- August 2023: Petronas Digital formed a strategic collaboration with Microsoft and Cegal to accelerate digital innovation across Petronas’ upstream operations.
