The ATLANTIS project, led by INESC TEC, has successfully conducted the first round of tests using autonomous robots on a floating offshore wind platform in Portugal. This groundbreaking demonstration was carried out at Ocean Winds’ WindFloat Atlantic, the world’s first semi-submersible floating offshore wind farm. The team focused on testing the capabilities of autonomous robots for inspection and monitoring operations in offshore wind farms.
Instead of relying on human personnel, the use of autonomous robots has shown great potential in improving the efficiency and reliability of maintenance activities. INESC TEC demonstrated the use of autonomous vehicles for visual and thermographic inspections, as well as structural assessments using multi-domain maps. By employing robots for these critical tasks, the ATLANTIS project has opened doors for robotics and artificial intelligence to play a leading role in maintaining offshore wind farm infrastructure.
Two autonomous robotic solutions, RAVEN and NAUTILUS, were utilized during the tests at the Atlantis Test Center in Viana do Castelo, Portugal. These solutions effectively perform aerial and underwater inspections of various components, including mooring lines, foundations, floating structures, and turbines. RAVEN, a drone equipped with advanced sensors, can generate visual, thermal, and three-dimensional representations of wind turbines. On the other hand, NAUTILUS, an autonomous vessel, is designed for multi-domain inspection and monitoring tasks.
The use of these autonomous vehicles in offshore wind farm maintenance is expected to reduce operations and maintenance expenses by approximately 20%, while also enhancing energy production reliability. Consequently, this technological advancement paves the way for the expansion of offshore wind energy in Portugal.
FAQ:
Q: How do autonomous robots contribute to offshore wind farm maintenance?
A: Autonomous robots improve the efficiency and reliability of maintenance activities by performing visual inspections, thermal inspections, and structural assessments. They can also reduce operations and maintenance expenses.
Q: What are the two autonomous robotic solutions used in the ATLANTIS project?
A: The two solutions are RAVEN and NAUTILUS. RAVEN is a drone that provides visual, thermal, and three-dimensional representations of wind turbines. NAUTILUS is an autonomous vessel designed for multi-domain inspection and monitoring tasks.
Q: What is the expected impact of using autonomous robots in offshore wind farm maintenance?
A: The use of autonomous robots is projected to lower operations and maintenance expenses by 20% and improve energy production reliability.
Q: Where was the first round of tests conducted?
A: The first round of tests was conducted at WindFloat Atlantic, the world’s first semi-submersible floating offshore wind farm, located in Portugal.
Q: How does the ATLANTIS project contribute to the development of offshore wind energy in Portugal?
A: The ATLANTIS project’s success in implementing autonomous robotic solutions for offshore wind farm maintenance opens up opportunities for the expansion of offshore wind energy in Portugal.