Autonomously operating robots stationed on offshore platforms can predict waves and facilitate more efficient operation of power generation equipment. New computing tools developed by researchers at the University of Edinburgh could help these robots work even in turbulent seas, providing both safety and cost-effectiveness, a press release says.

Offshore wind platforms are a major source of clean energy for countries looking to move away from fossil fuels. Unlike their land-based counterparts, offshore wind turbines are larger and can harness high-speed offshore winds.

Work is also underway to develop tidal energy converters that can serve as a more reliable and continuous source of energy. But working in these difficult conditions has its drawbacks. Worker safety is a major concern, while environmental conditions require that energy production infrastructure be maintained in a timely manner.

This is where robots can help, but the unpredictable nature of waves makes it difficult to deploy robots in such conditions. Tools developed by researchers at the University of Edinburgh fill this gap while helping to reduce the costs of producing clean energy, green energy.

What did the researchers do?

Computational and experimental tools developed by the Edinburgh engineering team help autonomous robots maintain stable positions even when encountering irregular waves.

“A major limitation at present is the ability of robots to effectively perceive and counteract environmental disturbances, which fundamentally restricts the current use of small underwater vehicles,” explained Kyle Walker, a doctoral student at the University who participated in the work.

“By predicting future wave disturbances and integrating them into the control system, we are able to extend this range with little or no modification to the robot hardware.”

To help the robot perform this function, wave detection sensors must be attached to the seabed, near offshore platforms. These sensors measure the height and direction of incoming waves and transmit them to the robot in real time. The robot can predict when waves are arriving at its location and take action to respond to maintain a stable position.

How will this help?

The researchers used the university’s Flowave test tank using data from a buoy in the North Sea. This made it possible to imitate the conditions in which robots deployed in the future will work.

With their current tools, the researchers found the system worked for robots working near the surface and at greater depths. “In terms of translating this technology to the field, this represents a huge advantage and makes our system applicable to most vehicles currently available on the market,” Walker added in the release. press release.

The ability to predict waves and act preemptively is more effective than the corrective action approach used in conventional systems.

For future work, the team is looking to add autonomous tasks such as using robotic arms to repair electrical equipment while occupying positions in the water.

“Increase the use of autonomous robots to help maintain offshore renewable installations could have a transformative effect on reducing the cost of producing clean energy,” said Francesco Giorgio-Serchi, an associate professor at the university.

“Advancing this technology could contribute to a step change in the adoption of unmanned robots at sea and significantly increase the degree of automation in the offshore sector. »

The research results were published in the International Journal of Robotics Research.