Beam has introduced the world’s first AI-driven autonomous underwater vehicle designed specifically for inspections of offshore wind farms. This innovative technology has already been put to the test at Seagreen, Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm, which is a collaboration between SSE Renewables, TotalEnergies, and PTTEP.
This AI-powered underwater vehicle marks a major advancement in marine technology and underwater robotics. It can perform intricate underwater inspections independently, significantly improving efficiency and reducing the costs typically associated with such surveys.
Historically, inspections of offshore wind sites required extensive manual labor. Beam’s autonomous approach transforms this method by enabling data to be transmitted directly to onshore teams. As a result, offshore workers can focus on more complex tasks, reducing inspection times by as much as 50% and leading to considerable savings in operational expenses.
Brian Allen, CEO of Beam, stated: “We are thrilled to have launched the first autonomous underwater vehicle powered by AI. Automation has the potential to transform how we inspect and maintain offshore wind farms, resulting in both cost and time reductions.”
In addition to boosting efficiency, Beam’s technology enhances the quality of inspection data and allows for the creation of 3D asset reconstructions alongside visual data. This deployment is a significant milestone in Beam’s strategy for autonomous technology, with plans to integrate this AI-driven solution across its fleet of DP2 vessels, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) throughout 2025 and 2026.
Looking forward, Allen emphasized the vast potential of this technology for the industry, stating, “Success in these initial projects is crucial for us to advance and achieve this vision. Our partnership with forward-thinking clients like SSE Renewables is key to making this possible.”
The Seagreen wind farm, which has been operational since October 2023, is recognized as the world’s deepest fixed-bottom offshore wind facility. Beam’s initiative at Seagreen has yielded valuable insights into the applicability of autonomous technology for large offshore wind structures. The data collected by the AI-driven vehicle will contribute to ensuring ongoing operational reliability at the site, providing critical information on aspects such as marine growth and potential foundation erosion.
Matthew Henderson, Technical Asset Manager for Substructure and Asset Lifecycle at SSE Renewables, remarked, “At SSE, our philosophy is clear: ‘if it’s not safe, we don’t do it.’ Beam’s technology shows that autonomous inspections can minimize the number of personnel required for planned offshore inspections, while expediting these tasks and generating comprehensive data sets for asset integrity planning.”
Henderson added, “As we extend our operations further offshore and into deeper waters, our ability to gather high-quality inspection data safely is crucial for achieving our Net Zero Acceleration Programme.”
As Beam moves forward with the deployment of its AI-driven inspection technology across its fleet in 2025 and 2026, this initiative aligns with the company’s goal of transforming offshore wind operations to be more efficient and cost-effective, further aiding the global energy transition.
The success of Beam’s AI-powered underwater vehicle at the Seagreen wind farm not only showcases the capabilities of autonomous technology in offshore wind inspections but also establishes a new benchmark for safety, efficiency, and data quality within the industry. Such innovations are essential for ensuring the sustainability and economic viability of offshore wind energy.