The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has developed a true-to-life offshore robotics simulation platform that uses real-time environmental data to speed up the use of robots for offshore wind. This is the first of its kind.
Companies utilise VDARE, an offshore robotics simulation platform, to test, confirm, and speed up the use of robots in a variety of offshore wind environments.
This includes floating offshore wind platforms, wind turbines that are fastened to the seabed, and work done in harbours and on docks. The device mimics the weather, waves, and sea conditions, as well as environmental factors including wind speed and wave height. It also includes a multi-robot communications system.
ORE Catapult’s director of research and technical capabilities Cristina Garcia-Duffy said: “VDARE has the potential to be a game-changer in the development of new robotics solutions supporting the roll-out of offshore wind.
“By creating accurate real-world offshore environments to put innovative robotics through their paces, we can help fast-track their progression to commercialisation and gain valuable learning on how to overcome various technical challenges for the sector.
“A huge amount of work has gone into ensuring that the digital environments we have built are truly reflective of the real-world conditions that robotic devices are likely to face in the development and maintenance of offshore wind farms.
“Our Blyth facility already has a long and proud history of helping innovative companies fast-track solutions for the offshore wind sector, and VDARE provides another vital tool to support that.”
The offshore robotics simulation platform VDARE has a lot of sites in the UK and can also replicate international locations by adding site-specific operational and environmental data.
The VDARE project is funded by Innovate UK’s Smart Shipping Acceleration Fund and the OLTER (Offshore Low Touch Energy Robotics and Autonomous Systems) project, which is part of the Net Zero Technology Transition Programme set up by the Net Zero Technology Centre.
Innovation ecosystem director at Innovate UK Dave Wilkes said: “Offshore renewable energy is a vital part of the UK’s journey to net zero. By investing in robotic systems, ORE Catapult is supporting development of the most cutting-edge technology to help reach that goal and keep UK businesses at the forefront of this opportunity.”
Luca Corradi, chief technology officer at the Net Zero Technology Centre, added: “Creating a test environment that accurately reflects offshore conditions is a significant step forward for offshore wind robotics.
“Access to real-life environmental data allows developers to test and refine autonomous systems earlier, improving reliability and reducing risk. This capability supports safer, low-intervention deployment at scale and plays a vital role in advancing dependable offshore operations as part of the wider energy transition.”
The National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth, Northumberland is home to ORE Catapult’s DARE (Digital, Autonomous and Robotics Centre of Excellence).
ORE Catapult worked with Acua Ocean, a business that makes unmanned surface vessels (USVs), to show off VDARE’s capabilities by simulating the deployment of the firm’s hydrogen-powered equipment. The experiment involves sending an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from the Acua Ocean USV, which then followed the USV on its own and gathered important information.