A simulation platform designed to fast track the deployment of robotics and autonomous systems for offshore wind has been developed by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult at facilities in Northumberland and Scotland.
VDARE (Virtual Demonstration and Assessment for Robotic Environments) allows companies to test and accelerate the deployment of robotics in a range of offshore wind environments. The technology simulates wind, wave and sea conditions, as well factors such as wind speed and wave height.
Dr Cristina Garcia-Duffy, director of research and technical capabilities at ORE Catapult said: “VDARE has the potential to be a game changer in the development of new robotics solutions supporting the roll out of offshore wind. By creating accurate real world offshore environments to put innovative robotics through their paces, we can help fast track their progression to commercialisation and gain valuable learning on how to overcome various technical challenges for the sector.
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“A huge amount of work has gone into ensuring that the digital environments we have built are truly reflective of the real world conditions that robotic devices are likely to face in the development and maintenance of offshore wind farms. Our Blyth facility already has a long and proud history of helping innovative companies fast track solutions for the offshore wind sector, and VDARE provides another vital tool to support that.”
A variety of 海角视频 locations are offered on VDARE, and the platform can also replicate international locations with the inclusion of site-specific operational and environmental data. The project has been delivered with funding from Innovake 海角视频’s Smart Shipping Acceleration Fund and the Offshore Low Touch Energy Robotics and Autonomous Systems) project.
The technology has been developed at ORE Catapult’s Digital, Autonomous and Robotics Centre of Excellence at the National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth, Northumberland, with testing at ORE’s Levenmouth Demonstration Turbine, located in Fife. Companies that have supplied equipment to the project include Nortech Engineering and Edinburgh-based Frontier Robotics.
Luca Corradi, chief technology officer at the Net Zero Technology Centre, said: “Creating a test environment that accurately reflects offshore conditions is a significant step forward for offshore wind robotics.
"Access to real life environmental data allows developers to test and refine autonomous systems earlier, improving reliability and reducing risk. This capability supports safer, low-intervention deployment at scale and plays a vital role in advancing dependable offshore operations as part of the wider energy transition.”