The Offshore Wind sector is seeking to utilise Robotic and
Uncrewed Systems (RUS) to help reduce the costs, emissions,
and risks of harm to personal associated with the necessary
survey and inspection works required over the whole life of fixed
and floating offshore wind farms. New wind energy projects are
being built in ...
The Offshore Wind sector is seeking to utilise Robotic and
Uncrewed Systems (RUS) to help reduce the costs, emissions,
and risks of harm to personal associated with the necessary
survey and inspection works required over the whole life of fixed
and floating offshore wind farms. New wind energy projects are
being built in locations further from onshore support bases than
previously, and this can impact the level of accessibility for
routine and unplanned works, leading to increased use of
offshore support vessels and a drive towards automating tasks if
possible.
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of RUS
technology to give potential adopters and end-users insight into
how and why different RUS types may be required (working
individually or cooperatively) across the whole life of a wind
farm.
A review was conducted of the available RUS technology and its
suitability for different tasks encountered throughout the initial
development, construction, operation, and decommissioning of
offshore wind farms. Uncrewed Surface Vehicles were identified
as being both well-established multi-purpose data gathering
platforms as well as being able to support other RUS above and
below the waterline for survey and inspection roles, and
considered that this RUS type represents a vital asset for the
offshore wind farms of the future