Ocean Infinity's underwater robots will help Equinor develop wind energy

Ocean Infinity, a company specializing in the use of robotic technologies in the maritime industry, has announced a contract with Equinor Wind US LLC. The agreement involves the creation of a floating offshore wind farm off the west coast of the United States.

AUV Hugin, Ocean Infinity

Based in Austin, USA, Ocean Infinity develops unmanned surface vessels and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The company has about 20 AUVs. According to the company's statement, several AUVs will be used in the project simultaneously, and the data obtained will be used to make informed decisions during the planning and construction phases of the wind farm with a floating platform. Cean Infinity will be responsible for the actual construction of the floating offshore wind farm. 

AUV Hugin, Ocean Infinity

The construction of the floating offshore wind farm is expected to take place in several stages, starting with site preparation and ending with equipment installation and commissioning. Throughout the process, Ocean Infinity will provide its AUVs for data collection to create an SAP - site assessment plan and COP - construction and operation plan. The working depths at the site range from 974 to 1317 meters. The project is set to begin in February 2024. \\ 

Mocean Energy to build wave power station

Edinburgh-based company Mocean Energy has received £3.2m in European funding for a project to create a “green” energy source at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) on the Orkney archipelago in northern Scotland by 2030. The project will involve the construction of a wave power station with a capacity of between 1 MW and 2 MW based on Blue Horizon 250 devices (with a capacity of 250 kW).

Blue Horizon 250, render - Mocean Energy

Mocean Energy already has experience in creating a 10 kW prototype wave power station, Mocean Blue X. 

Blue X, photo - Mocean Energy

Blue X, photo - Mocean Energy

The interaction between Blue X and the underwater Halo battery system developed by Verlume was tested. This infrastructure provides power for Transmark Subsea’s resident AUVs.

Blue X, render - Mocean Energy

The principle of operation of the wave power station can be described as follows: a float with wave channels at the ends captures the power of sea waves. Direct drive Vernier Hybrid Machine generators convert mechanical energy into electrical energy at very low speeds.

Such autonomous wave power stations can replace diesel generator-based systems currently used, for example, on offshore platforms, in marine aquaculture, and in remote island communities. And, of course, this source of energy can be used to power underwater charging stations for resident underwater robots.

Another example is the useful tandem of surface and underwater marine robots. If, of course, the wave power station is considered a surface robot. \\