New technology that enables robots to work stably in turbulent seas could make it cheaper, faster, and safer to maintain offshore wind farms and tidal turbines, researchers say.
Until now, the unpredictable nature of waves—which make it difficult for machines to remain stable and perform precise movements—has limited the use of robots in the upkeep of offshore platforms.
Stationing autonomous robots offshore to perform routine maintenance would reduce the cost of generating marine renewable energy, which is typically more expensive to produce than other forms of clean energy, the team says.
It could also simplify operations—which currently can involve ships and helicopters or hoisting equipment out of the water—and remove the need for people to work in dangerous settings.
Edinburgh engineers have developed new computational and experimental tools to enable autonomous robots to maintain a steady position amid irregular, buffeting waves.
The researchers trialed their system at the University’s FloWave testing tank, using wave data captured by a buoy in the North Sea to mimic the types of conditions robots might work in.
Wave-detecting devices are tethered to the seafloor and measure the direction and height of incoming waves, relaying the information in real-time to a robot working nearby. This enables the unmanned machine to preempt complex future disturbances in the water, precisely counteracting these to maintain a stable position.
Findings indicate the system is compatible with robots operating near the surface and those working at greater depths, where disturbances can still be felt strongly.
The new technology improves on conventional control systems, which operate in a corrective fashion, the team says. These are prone to responding slowly to the fast-changing disturbances of the ocean, making them much less reliable in such hazardous environments.