Northland trials autonomous vehicles for offshore wind farm inspections

HAMBURG, Germany — Subsea Europe Services (SES) will support a pilot project this summer at the 252-MW Deutsche Bucht wind farm offshore Germany, owned by Northland Power.

Northland is looking to deploy autonomous marine survey and underwater inspection as part of its operations and maintenance programs.

Last month SES’ Autonomous Surveyor Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) and A.IKANBILIS Hovering Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (HAUV) underwent a successful harbor test in Eemshaven, the Netherlands, from the Albert Betz Service Operation Vessel (SOV) in Eemshaven, the Netherlands.

Both the USV and A.IKANBILIS will perform the offshore wind foundation survey and inspection scope at the Beucht location, 95 km west of Borkum in the German Exclusive Economic Zone.

The former will conduct multi-beam echosounder surveys to monitor the inter-array cable routes and check for potential scouring at the foundations, while the latter will undertake visual inspections of the foundations, from water level down to the seabed.

There will be minimal human involvement in the campaign.

Both autonomous platforms will be resident at the wind farm for the duration of the pilot, using the SOV for the safe and efficient launch, recovery and storage of the USV and A.IKANBILIS.

The SOV will serve as the mothership and operations center for autonomous survey and underwater inspection operations with an automated project workflow, from planning and execution to reporting and data delivery.

This approach allows for reductions in the numbers of personnel and vessels required offshore.

06.07.2023