Beam Unveils Revolutionary AI-Powered Underwater Technology for Offshore Wind Farms
Bristol, UK - Beam, a forefront runner in high-technology offshore wind services, has announced the successful deployment of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) driven by advanced artificial intelligence (AI). This pioneering development, which the company has lauded as a "groundbreaking milestone," is set to transform marine technology and underwater robotics.
Leveraging cutting-edge AI, Beam's new technology is capable of executing intricate underwater tasks without the need for human intervention. This innovation is expected to significantly enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of underwater inspections and surveys. The company plans to incorporate this technology into its fleet of DP2 vessels, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and AUVs over the course of 2025 and 2026.
Brian Allen, CEO of Beam, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We are very proud to have succeeded in deploying the world’s first autonomous underwater vehicle driven by AI. Automation can revolutionise how we carry out inspection and maintenance of offshore wind farms, helping to reduce both costs and timelines." He further noted the critical role of forward-thinking clients like SSE Renewables in achieving these milestones, adding, "Looking ahead to the future, the potential of this technology is huge for the industry, and success in these initial projects is vital for us to progress and realise this vision."
The technology's debut is set against the backdrop of Seagreen, Scotland's largest and the world’s deepest fixed-bottom offshore wind farm. Jointly operated by SSE Renewables and TotalEnergies, Seagreen is situated approximately 27 kilometres off the coast of Angus and has been operational since October 2023. The wind farm features 114 turbines and provides enough renewable energy to power over 1.6 million homes, accounting for roughly two-thirds of all Scottish households.
Matthew Henderson, Technical Asset Manager – Substructure and Asset Lifecycle at SSE Renewables, highlighted the importance of Beam's new technology for safety and efficiency. "At SSE, we have a mantra that 'if it's not safe, we don't do it'. Beam's technology demonstrates that autonomous inspections can reduce the personnel we need to send offshore for planned inspections, while speeding up planned works and collecting rich data-sets to inform asset integrity planning," Henderson remarked. He emphasised the increasing importance of high-quality, low-risk data collection as operations move further offshore into deeper waters, essential for the success of SSE's Net Zero Acceleration Programme.
With the integration of Beam's AI-driven AUVs, the offshore wind industry in Scotland and beyond stands on the brink of a significant technological transformation. The collaboration between Beam and SSE Renewables marks a critical step towards more efficient, cost-effective, and safer operations in the realm of renewable energy.
Source: Noah Wire Services