Offshore Wind Automation

How Automation and Robotics Will Transform the Offshore Wind Industry

The offshore wind industry is evolving at lightning speed, and if you want to stay ahead, you won’t want to miss what’s coming next.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the world as we know it, and Robotic Automation will completely turn the business landscape on its head as we know it.

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to dive into what I believe is the future of Offshore Wind and Automation. I will be unveiling what I know to be true, and what I believe will be breakthroughs in autonomous survey vessels, and game-changing technologies that are, and will be transforming the industry.

But that’s just the beginning. We’ll explore how these advancements are reshaping and speeding up construction, cutting costs, and improving marine mammal safety, all while finding new and better ways to coexist with the fishing industry.

Each post I will reveal something new and exciting, giving you the inside track on what’s happening beneath the surface of this cutting-edge field. Make sure to stay tuned—you won’t want to miss a single detail as we uncover what I believe to be the future of offshore wind. The following is an overview post to give you a sneak peek into what we are going to explore.



How Automation and Robotics Are Transforming the Offshore Wind Industry

In the past, offshore wind farms required large crews, heavy machinery, and a lot of manual labor to get the job done.


Today, automation and robotics are reshaping offshore wind, making it easier, faster, and more cost-effective to harness wind energy from the sea.

Automation and Robotics in Offshore Wind: The Game Changer

The idea of using robots and automated systems in the offshore wind industry might sound like something out of a science fiction movie, but it’s happening right now. Automation and robotics are transforming many aspects of wind farm development—from surveying the ocean floor to maintaining wind turbines.

So, what exactly does this mean for the industry? In simple terms, automation and robotics reduce the need for human involvement in dangerous and time-consuming tasks. By relying on autonomous vessels and recently developed software, offshore wind farm development can operate more efficiently, more safely, and more continuously.

Two years ago, we did a month of escort work for an autonomous survey vessel in NY Harbor. The Pilot of the vessel was in Scotland, the survey crew was in Ireland, and the marine traffic personnel were in Britain. The entire process was done while live streaming via Starlink and Microsoft Teams. This survey vessel was 17′ long and could go to sea for Two weeks at a time with ZERO people onboard. It was amazing but guess what …. that vessel, by today’s standards, is OBSOLETE!

For example, in the past, crews would have to wait for good weather to conduct surveys or carry out maintenance. Now, autonomous survey vessels can operate in rough seas and poor visibility, collecting data 24/7 without the need for a full crew.

Gone is the need for a survey vessel with a huge crew to drag equipment behind them and deal with the weather. These vessels are capable of navigating under the surface, performing detailed data collection and even transmitting data back to shore in real-time. This is a game-changer for the offshore wind industry, allowing projects to move faster and more smoothly than ever before.

Autonomous Survey Vessels: 24/7 Efficiency at Lower Costs

These vessels are specifically designed to gather important data about the ocean environment where wind farms will be located. Traditionally, these surveys required large ships with crews of 30 to 60 people and came with a hefty price tag—often costing more than $100,000 per day.

With autonomous vessels, things have changed drastically. These smaller, more nimble boats can do the same job but at a fraction of the cost. Instead of requiring massive crews and burning thousands of gallons of diesel fuel, autonomous vessels operate with a small team and consume far less fuel. In fact, the daily operating cost of these vessels is less than $17,000, and they use up to 70% less fuel than traditional ships.

Even more impressive is (Autonomous Vessels/ Drones) have the ability to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Because these vessels don’t rely on human operators, they can keep going even in rough weather. They collect valuable survey data in real-time and send it back to shore-based offices for processing. In the fast-paced world of offshore wind, this ability to gather and process data in near real-time gives companies a major advantage.

Robotics Enhancing Construction and Maintenance

But the automation revolution doesn’t stop at data collection. Robotics is playing a huge role in the construction and maintenance of offshore wind farms as well. The installation and maintenance of turbines out at sea is a complex and often dangerous task. The harsh marine environment can cause significant wear and tear on turbines, and regular inspections are necessary to keep everything running smoothly. In the past, these inspections required human divers or crews who had to physically climb the turbines to check for damage.

Nowadays, you can send out a small boat with an underwater vehicle that weighs less than 50 pounds, can travel to depths of over 600′ have real-time video feed with 4G cameras and DP capability for precise navigation. Yep – this makes the 200′ vessel with 10 man crew and a 5,000lb UAV pretty much obsolete except for repairs.

Now, robots are taking over these risky jobs. Robotic drones and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are used to inspect turbines, cables, and other infrastructure. These robots can reach areas that are difficult for humans to access and can work in conditions that would be dangerous for human crews. Not only does this improve safety, but it also speeds up the inspection process and reduces the cost of regular maintenance.

For example, robotic drones can fly up to turbines and use advanced cameras and sensors to detect cracks, corrosion, or other signs of damage. These drones can operate day and night, in all weather conditions, and can provide detailed reports back to engineers on shore.


Small easy to handle and control underwater vehicles can inspect cables and foundations deep below the surface of the water, where human divers cannot go. These robots are making it possible to perform maintenance more frequently and with greater precision, preventing costly breakdowns.

Similarly, autonomous underwater vehicles can inspect cables and foundations deep below the surface of the water, where human divers cannot go without a dive bell and decompression chamber located on deck. These robots are making it possible to perform maintenance more frequently and with greater precision, preventing costly breakdowns and extending the lifespan of wind turbines.

Offshore Wind Farm Support: Leading the Charge

Offshore Wind Farm Support is at the forefront of this revolution. By partnering with the world’s largest robotics integration company, we can help Offshore Wind Developers and Contractors by adopting autonomous survey vessels and integrate robotics into their operations. We will be able to deliver services that are faster, safer, and more cost-effective. We understand that the future of offshore wind relies on embracing the power of automation and robotics, and we are leading the charge in this new era of energy production.

In the coming years, as the world pushes to expand its renewable energy capacity, automation and robotics will continue to play a key role in the offshore wind industry. The companies that adopt these technologies will be the ones that set the standard for the rest of the industry, driving down costs, improving efficiency, and leading the transition to a clean energy future.

Conclusion

Automation and robotics are revolutionizing the offshore wind industry. From autonomous survey vessels that collect data in real-time to robotic drones and underwater vehicles that handle construction and maintenance, these technologies are making offshore wind farms more efficient, cost-effective, and safer than ever before.

Offshore Wind Farm Support is out in front of this transformation. As the demand for clean energy continues to grow, automation and robotics will be at the heart of the offshore wind industry’s future.

Stand-by for upcoming blog posts where we go deep into Robots and Automation actions and possibilities of the future. We will be able to save Developers multiple Millions of Dollars per year in inspections and keep local boatmen working.